Camanava is new destination for favor seekers

MANILA, Philippines - The rise of new political leaders close to president-apparent Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III in the Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela (Camanava) area has made northern Metro Manila officials influential and popular among people trying to seek favors from Malacañang Palace.

With the exception of Navotas City whose incoming congressman Toby Tiangco is from the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, many top officials of Caloocan, Malabon, and Valenzuela City are identified with Aquino.

Among the local leaders in the area with close personal and political ties to Aquino are Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad, girlfriend of the incoming president; Malabon Vice Mayor Lenlen Oreta, a nephew of Aquino; and Liberal Party leaders headed by re-electionist Caloocan Mayor Recom Echiverri and Vice Mayor Edgar Erice.

A Camanava political leader who declined to be identified said various groups have already invited Soledad, who is dubbed as the “future first lady,” to be the guest speaker in social gatherings.

“Both the balimbings (turncoats) and the influence peddlers are now gathering around Shalani and Noynoy relatives so that they can gain access to Malacañang,” a source told The STAR.

Roy Sangil, president of Socio Economic Advancement of Pinoy (ASAP) that helped in the presidential campaign of Aquino, said Soledad would never use her personal relation to recommend anybody to Aquino for appointment to any government post.

He said Soledad told him that she will not make any recommendation of any government official, but will just continue supporting the Aquino administration.

 “We will help Noynoy fight for reforms in the government and we will not seek any government post or recommend somebody,” he said.

Sangil and Soledad have used Valenzuela City as their base for the political campaign for Aquino.

He said Valenzuela was a political challenge to both Aquino and Soledad because the LP has no political structure in the city, which is the bailiwick of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) led by re-elected Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian and his brother Rep. Rex Gatchalian, who supported Sen. Manuel Villar in the last presidential elections.

Voters in Valenzuela, however, supported Aquino and gave him an overwhelming mandate, while Soledad was elected the number one councilor in the city.

Gatchalian admitted that Soledad, a member of the LP, is well loved by the people of Valenzuela and even by NPC supporters.

Sangil said among the local groups that supported Noynoy were the Aquino to Malacañang Movement (ATOM), The August 6 liberation Movement (A6LM), Noynoy Aquino for President Movement (NAPM), Volunteers for Noynoy Movement, Blue Falcons International Association, Inc., Falcons Consolidated Groups of Martial Arts, FDFI International Integrated Group, Islamic Party of the Philippines (IPP), Philippine Association of Small Coconut Farmers’ Organization (PASCFO), Federation of Farmers’ Association of the Philippines, and Watawat.

He said Aquino has inspired millions to fight corruption.