ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. said he won’t field candidates against 2nd District mayors seeking reelection in the 2019 midterm elections despite their having joined the Nacionalista Party (NP).
Defensor Sr. belonged to the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). He had played down the mayors’ transfer to the NP
The governor said possibly only one or two mayors in the 2nd District would not be supportive of his son, Cong. Arthur Defensor Jr., the presumptive candidate for governor of PDP-Laban.
For these two mayors, “Kon indi gid mabulig ti pakontrahan gid eh,” said the elder Defensor.
He, however, declined to name the two mayors.
The governor also said the provincial government would continue to help 2nd District municipalities.
“Ang tanan nga mayors sa 2nd District kon ano pangayuon nila ihatag ko. Amo na ako kahirop sa mga mayors,” said Defensor.
The eight 2nd District mayors who took their oath as members of the NP on Aug. 11 were Michael Gorriceta of Pavia, Dennis Superficial of Santa Barbara, Geefre Alonsabe of Alimodian, Christian Sorongon of New Lucena, John Tarrosa of Zarraga, Marina Gorriceta of San Miguel, Rolito Cahilig of Leon (represented by Vice Mayor Ma. Lina Holipas), and Adolfo Jaen of Leganes (represented by Sangguniang Bayan member Leo Jun Jaen).
As NP members, said Gorriceta, they would be supporting the gubernatorial bid of Nacionalista member Cong. Ferjenel Biron of the 4th District.
“Ang pagsumpa na ‘ya sa partido nagapangita na sang pasilungan. Pero at the end of the day, ang tanan nga mga mayors except one or two sa bilog nga 2nd District mabulig na kay Toto Defensor,” said the governor./PN
