ILOILO –Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said he is open to form an alliance with two prominent political names despite them opposing him during the May 2019 midterm elections.
They are former 4th District congressman Ferjenel Biron of the Nacionalista Party (NP) and former 1st District congressman Richard Garin, Biron’s ally.
Biron lost to Defensor in the 2019 polls.
“Not plano. (But) ang coalition is really a possibility nga puede mo i-anticipate. Bal-an mo, bag-o ‘ni subong nga balasa ang pakadto nga (2022) election,” said Defensor.
Everything depends on the political developments in the national level, he stressed.
“The coalition and alliances will come after that. Tan-awon naton kon ano. Again, mabalik ako mahulat anay kita kon ano ang hulag sang partido ko,” Defensor added.
Defensor is a member of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
“Actually I’m one of the many nga sa position subong kag gusto nga magdalagan (but) nagahulat kon ano ang manaog halin sa national level sang amon partido pakadto… nagahulat kami sang communication from our party kon ano ang matabo. Usually ang movement comes with of course the declaration of presidential candidates naton. Dira na ma-fall in ang alliances and direction… dira na sia mahulag,” he explained.
This is also the reason why his running mate in the 2022 elections has yet to be named. Defensor is also not targeting someone by far.
Defensor is also mum on the possibility of having former mayor Nielo Tupas of Barotac Viejo or incumbent Vice Gov. Christine “Tingting” Garin as running mate.
Garin is Biron’s running mate last May 2019 polls.
“Wala pa gid. I cannot say kon sin-o ang mangin running mate ko if ever,” said Defensor.
Defensor announced his reelection bid last year yet. He succeeded his father former Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. in 2019
Meanwhile, Defensor Jr. said he had no idea why incumbent 4th District congressman Braeden John Biron transferred his voter’s registration from Barotac Nuevo town to Dumangas, though he’s still in the same district.
“I really don’t know kon ano…may purpose man ina sila… they have their own reasons and whatever man ina I respect them,” Defensor said./PN
