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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Friday, September 1, 2017
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ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. cited “practical politics” in deciding to leave Liberal Party and joining the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The political career of his son, Cong. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. of the 3rd District, was a big factor, the governor said.
“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,” said Defensor.
During a visit to Iloilo City on Aug. 13, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez urged the Defensors to join PDP-Laban.
“If Toto wants to win an election, the administration party can greatly help him. That is practical politics. That is the reality of politics. We don’t have the money to buy votes,” explained the candid Defensor.
The governor, now in his third term, is barred by law from seeking a fourth consecutive term. He confirmed talking to PDP-Laban head Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III on Wednesday.
In all the elections both father and son participated, Defensor said, they relied on the people’s support and goodwill, their hard work and capacity to serve the public because they did not have money.
A member of the Liberal Party since 2013, the governor confessed to being uneasy changing political parties.
“I am not used to shifting from one party to other. But I have been sent several emissaries asking me to transfer. And it made me thought, too, of the support, of the big-ticket programs that the national government could extend to Iloilo province and its municipalities,” said Defensor.
According to the governor, he would fly to Manila next to finalize the details of his and his son’s oath-taking to PDP-Laban.
After they are sworn in, Defensor said, he would invite members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and municipal mayors to join the President’s party, too.
But as to mayors that President Duterte linked to illegal drugs, Defensor said he would first clear the matter with the party.
“I was made to understand nga kun may ebidensya sila nga matuod nga protektor ka, dealer ka, I think they may not extend the invitation to you. Pero kun waay man lang, there is no adverse allegation against the three mayors, then I will go out of my way to tell them to move to PDP-Laban,” said Defensor.
The three municipal mayors Duterte linked to illegal drugs were Mariano Malones of Maasin, Sigfriedo Betita of Carles and Alex Centena of Calinog. All three denied being drug coddlers.
Days after Alvarez invited the Defensors to PDP-Laban, Defensor said the “gentlemen’s agreement” between him and four congressmen to field a common candidate for governor in the 2019 midterm elections may no longer be workable if he decided to join the ruling party.
The four congressmen were Arcadio Gorriceta (2nd District), Defensor Jr., Ferjenel Biron (4th District), and Raul Tupas (5th District).
Gorriceta belongs to the Liberal Party while Biron and Tupas are with the National Unity Party.
During two meetings in March, Defensor Jr. and Biron expressed interest to run for governor in 2019.
“Mag intra abi ako sa PDP-Laban kag masiling ang liderato nga amo ‘ni ang kandidato sa pagka-gobernador, ang tanan nga miyembro natural masunod kon ano ang order sang presidente sang partido,” said Defensor.
The same scenario may happen if congressmen Tupas, Biron and Defensor Jr. will also join PDP-Laban, said the governor.
“Cong. (Richard) Garin (1st District, Iloilo) ara na sa PDP-Laban. Ang ma-decision na ‘ya ang partido kon sin-o ang makandidato sa pagka-gobernador. Naturally, maliwat gid ang sitwasyon,” said the governor.
Defensor also said he never insisted nor asked to join the ruling party.
“Tandaan n’yo…waay ko nag-imbitar ang lawas ko. Gin imbitar lang ko ‘ya. Waay ko ginsulsol ang lawas ko sa partido,” he said./PN
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