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[av_heading heading=’ Whose voices matter most in PDP-Laban? ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Saturday, September 9, 2017
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ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. played down Cong. Richard Garin’s (1st District) power to recommend candidates for local elective posts for the 2019 midterm elections as president / chairman of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in the province.
“The president of the party, (Sen. Aquilino) Koko Pimentel (III), secretary-general House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and President Rodrigo Duterte as chairman – these are the people who have the say,” said Defensor.
Garin is a potential candidate for governor of the ruling party. On Thursday, he said he may recommend himself as candidate for governor.
Defensor’s son, Cong. Arthur Jr. (3rd District) is another potential candidate for governor. The two accepted Alvarez’s invitation to join PDP-Laban but have yet to take oath.
Governor Defensor also said the party has a nomination and selection process for its candidates.
Asked of the possibility that Garin would be the party’s anointed candidate for governor, Defensor replied, “When you join the party, you respect the decision of the party. If you cannot respect the decision of the party then you get out.”
“Pero indi man na seguro husto nga kon indi ka mapilian, magwa ka. Kon indi ka mapiliin, ti you stay with the party and support kon sin-o ang kandidato sang partido,” he added.
The political career of his son was a big factor in his decision to join PDP-Laban, said the governor last week.
“I’d be a hypocrite if I say my decision has nothing to do with politics. I told PDP-Laban my son is interested to become governor. I made the message clear but up to that point lang,” he said.
Defensor said he has no problem with Garin being the party leader in Iloilo.
“When you join a party, you don’t come in nga hari ka dayun. Pag-imbitar sa akon, it was simply an invitation, waay man kondisyon nga masulod ka sa partido kay ikaw himuon provincial chairman,” said.
Defensor said he was not surprised that Garin was made the PDP-Laban Iloilo leader.
Among Iloilo’s local leaders, Garin was the first to join the President’s party after the 2016 elections, said the governor.
Garin previously belonged to Liberal Party like Defensor.
As party leader in Iloilo, Garin “will be very much involved in the local affairs,” said Defensor.
The announcement of Garin’s appointment as PDP-Laban Iloilo head came a week after Governor Defensor confirmed he and his congressman son were joining the ruling party.
“Wala ako objection. That is a welcome development for the party kon mag-upod sia,” said Garin on Thursday./PN
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