Tining Martinez quits ruling Lakas-Kampi

CEBU, Philippines - Former Bogo Mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III is resigning from the Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats party.

Martinez’s announcement to resign from the ruling party came after his pronouncement of support for the presidential bid of Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party.

Lakas-Kampi CMD is endorsing the presidential bid of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro.

“I’m tendering my resignation as Lakas member,” Martinez said in a press conference yesterday afternoon. He said he would send his resignation to President Gloria Arroyo today.

Martinez cited some reasons for his resignation. He said he is no longer fit to serve the interest of the party and that there are ideals and ideologies of the party that are not followed.

However, Martinez clarified that his resignation does not mean he will transfer to the Liberal party. “As of now, I am independent,” he said.

Martinez reiterated that he accepted the challenged of Cebu fourth district Representative Benhur Salimbangon to run against him in the 2010 elections.

It is not true, according to Martinez, that his father, former congressman and now Bogo Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. will run again for Congress.

“I will run for Congress and my father want to finish what he started in Bogo,” Tining said.

Junie is undefeated former congressman who replaced Tining, whom Salimbangon defeated in the May 2007 elections.

The Martinezes have lodged an election protest against Salimbangon which is now pending before the House Electoral Tribunal. They insist that Tining won against Salimbangon.

Tining said Salimbangon’s loyalty to the party is “questionable” as of this time.

“Benhur is Lakas-Kampi member but he is supporting (former president Joseph Estrada) Erap,” Tining said, adding that Salimbangon is reportedly a coordinator for Estrada in the fourth district.

Tining believed that Salimbangon cannot leave Estrada. “I would like to think that Benhur is nothing without the Garcias. I know for the fact nga si Benhur dili makatalikod ni Erap,” he added.

As for the gubernatorial race, Tining believed that Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano has already the blessing of the administration to run against incumbent Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

But Tining said he cannot determine yet if Durano is a strong candidate against the incumbent governor considering that he has not yet make his announcement.

“Diha ra gyud na nato mahibaw-an kung si Ace modeklarar na gyud nga modagan siya,” Tining said. — Garry B. Lao/LPM   (FREEMAN NEWS)