Ilocos local bets defect to Ping’s camp

CAOAYAN, Ilocos Sur — The entire nine-member local ticket of movie actor Fernando Poe Jr. here defected yesterday to the camp of his opposition presidential rival, Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson.

Poe’s candidates made the move a day after two Muslim groups announced in Metro Manila that they were moving to Lacson’s side.

The local ticket is composed of former Mayor Manuel Querubin, who is aspiring for his old post; Miguel Quilana, candidate for vice mayor; and Armando Adoc, Malou Atinaja, Joselito Cabaldon, Rodel Garduque, Roman Llanes, Errol Quitoriano and Anthony Verzola, who are running for councilor.

In nearby Candon City, Lacson’s staff said seven other local candidates led by Ben Baterina, who is eyeing the vice gubernatorial post in the province, announced their defection to the camp of the former Philippine National Police chief.

The senator’s campaign leaders identified the other defectors as Joaquin Naperas, mayoral candidate in Galimuyod town; Jun Gines, candidate for vice mayor in Candon; Ringis Emannuel, mayoral candidate in San Vicente town; and Mike Carino, Herminio Real and Amando Ricanor, candidates for board member.

Baterina is a brother of Ilocos Sur Rep. Salacnib Baterina, who is seeking re-election under the administration Lakas party. He is running with Efren Rafanan, who is slugging it out with former Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson in the gubernatorial race.

Rafanan was a former Lacson supporter who switched to Poe’s camp when the actor declared his presidential bid. There are reports that he wants to move back to the former PNP chief’s side.

In a letter to Lacson, copies of which they released to the media, the local candidates in this town said they are expressing their "unconditional support" for the former PNP boss and House Minority Leader Carlos Padilla, his lone senatorial candidate.

They said they filed their certificates of candidacy under the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP), the political vehicle formed by Sen. Edgardo Angara for Poe’s presidential quest.

They had hoped that "this alliance would emerge as one strong, unified and a truly opposition coalition. We now find KNP the opposite of our expectations and going nowhere," they said.

"On the other hand, we share and take great hope in your advocacy for reforms and honest-to-goodness governance. We believe that when elected president, you, Apo Ping Lacson, will do as you’ve said you will," they added.

Lacson was elated by the local candidates‚ expression of support for him, saying it shows "that it is not true that this is administration territory; on the contrary, Ilocos Sur is opposition country."

Asked if the defections were a turning point in his campaign for the presidency, he said, "No, there is no turning point because we have always been there."

"Nilalampaso lang naman ako sa mga survey ni GMA, but in local surveys, I am there, at the top," he said.

He pointed out that he, Padilla and his group of lawmaker-supporters belonging to the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino which Angara heads, have always been the genuine opposition.

"I have been fighting graft and corruption in the administration since 2001 (when he was elected senator), and we have been practically alone in this lonely crusade," he said.

Asked if his expected unification meeting on Monday with Poe would definitely push through, Lacson said, "Let’s see."

He said he has a campaign sortie on Monday and might not be able to attend the birthday celebration of his former boss, ousted President Estrada, in his detention quarters in Tanay, Rizal.

Meanwhile, Lacson said he is content with being "number 4," his consistent showing in national surveys.

"Pero Signal No. 4, hindi No. 4 sa survey. Bagyo ang tinatanggap naming reception and supporta sa mga tao dito," he told journalists covering his campaign.