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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Friday, August 18, 2017
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ILOILO – The “gentlemen’s agreement” between Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. and four congressmen to field a common candidate for governor in the 2019 midterm elections may no longer be workable if the province’s chief executive decides to join President Rodrigo Duterte’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
No less than Defensor himself said this following House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s invitation for him to join the ruling party.
The four congressmen were Arcadio Gorriceta (2nd District), Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. (3rd District), Ferjenel Biron (4th District), and Raul Tupas (5th District).
The Defensors and Gorriceta belong 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.
“Isa lang amon kandidato. That’s our gentlemen’s agreement. Kun sin-o, wala pa mabal-an,” said the elder Defensor. “The five of us decided to stick together for future electoral exercises in Iloilo. We have a high sense of commonality in so far as our politics is concerned.”
The governor is now in his third and final consecutive term and thus not eligible to seek a fourth consecutive term.
“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.
Alvarez also invited Congressman Defensor to join PDP-Laban during a visit here on Aug. 13.
“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.
Garin is rumored to be interested in running for governor, too.
Alvarez acknowledged the importance of having Defensor in the ruling party.
“Siempre, ikaw ‘yung ama ng probinsya. Malaking bagay ‘yun. Mag-uusap kami,” he said.
The elder Defensor said he was open to joining PDP-Laban but has to consult political colleagues.
“Basta ang puno kag punta, the greater interest of our people should be first and foremost. We are willing to sacrifice our political interest for the greater and higher interest of our people. Amo na ang importante,” he said.
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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