Caminero denies Sim K is LP's bet

CEBU, Philippines - Provincial Board (PB) Member Wilfredo Caminero has insisted that he is the one being endorsed by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. and not his opponent, former congressman Simeon Kintanar Jr.

Caminero was reacting to the earlier claim of Kintanar that Davide prodded him to run for a congressional seat which he served for three terms in second district.

 Kintanar was the second among the candidates who filed his COC for congressman without any party nomination at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office at the Capitol on the first day of the filing last Monday.

Caminero’s ally and spokesperson, PB Member Peter John Calderon, said the claim of Kintanar is not true.

Calderon said that during the filing of certificate of candidacy of Caminero for congressman under the Liberal Party, Davide was with him.

“That disproved his (Kintanar) claim,” Calderon told The Freeman.

Davide’s son, Hilario III, is the LP’s provincial chairman and gubernatorial candidate in next year’s elections.

Caminero and Kintanar are challenging the reelection bid of Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia who is on his second term.

Garcia of One Cebu-National Unity Party (NUP) succeeded Kintanar in 2007.

Kintanar’s family member, Cora Lou, was the first choice of LP for congressman in the second district but Caminero finally got the nomination.

Cora Lou also lost to Garcia in 2010 elections.

Caminero is used to be member of One Cebu party but transferred to LP for the purpose of running against the deputy House speaker.— /JPM (FREEMAN)