Perez to run for governor, reconciles with Villarama

President Arroyo endorsed yesterday former justice secretary Hernando Perez as the pro-administration candidate for governor of Batangas in next May’s elections.

Perez will run under the banner of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats-Nationalist People’s Coalition under a local coalition agreement signed at Malacañang yesterday.

Facing Perez will be Armand Sanches, the candidate for governor of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino of ousted President Joseph Estrada.

Outgoing Gov. Hermilando Mandanas will run for Congress in the second district of Batangas, which is now held by Rep. Frank Perez II, a son of the former justice secretary.

Frank, who is a lawyer, would reportedly join his father’s staff if he is elected governor.

During the same occasion, Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., president of Lakas, and Perez, secretary general of Lakas, raised the hands of Mrs. Arroyo as standard-bearer of the Lakas-NPC coalition.

Later Bulacan Rep. Willie Villarama, who returned to the Lakas fold last week, had a reconciliation with Perez in the presence of Mrs. Arroyo.

"I was the one who introduced Nani to (Mrs. Arroyo)," Villarama said.

Villarama said he is not sure if the reconciliation would mean that Perez will withdraw the libel suit he had filed against him.

"We had breakfast together recently even before today," he said. "But we have not discussed the (withdrawal of the libel suit)."
Villarama said he felt awkward when he and Perez were made to shake hands with Mrs. Arroyo in the middle because he had hurled serious allegations against the former justice secretary. — Marichu Villanueva