Pasay vice mayor, 7 dads cut ties with Trinidad

MANILA, Philippines - Citing the need for a change in governance in Pasay City, the vice mayor and a number of incumbent councilors severed political ties with Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad as they took their oath as new members of the Lakas party yesterday.

Vice Mayor Antonino Calixto and incumbent Councilors Richard Advincula, Arnel Regino Arceo, Rey Padua, Antonia Cuneta, Ian Vendivel, Emi Calixto and Ma. Luisa Petallo, were sworn in by Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos, Lakas – National Capital Region chairman.

“There is nothing personal in our decision to transfer to another camp. All the things that the current administration promised did not really materialize,” Advincula said.

Calixto is set to run for mayor in the 2010 elections.

Trinidad said he was “not bothered at all” by the breakaway. “I already felt that they are up to something even before, since that group has not really been supportive of the recent programs of my administration,” he said.

Trinidad ran under the UNO-LDP-Liberal party in the 2007 elections.

Trinidad’s chief of staff Greg Alcera said “everybody has a freedom of choice. We respect their decision. However, the primordial concern here is that they should prioritize public service no matter what.”

Alcera said he will run as Trinidad’s vice mayor in next year’s polls.       – Rhodina Villanueva