Quezon City lawmaker bolts Lakas

MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City Rep. Annie Rosa Susano, who represents the city’s second district, has resigned from the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD in a bid to join the mayoralty race as the National People’s Coalition (NPC) bet.

Susano, formerly Lakas’ district chairman, formally took her oath before NPC president Frisco San Juan during ceremonies held at the party headquarters in Quezon City.

Top NPC officilas – former senator and Dangerous Drugs Board chair Tito Sotto and NPC chairman Faustino Dy of Isabela – witnessed the affair.

“Susano resigned from the administration party then took her oath as NPC member,” a Lakas-Kampi-CMD source told The STAR.

Susano has declared her bid to run for mayor, with Councilor Janet Malaya as her vice mayor.

The Lakas-Kampi-CMD is set to announce the roster of administration bets in the city. The team of Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista and Joy Belmonte-Alimurung are reportedly the strongest administration party candidates for mayor and vice mayor in the 2010 polls.

The administration party is still in the process of selecting its candidates for members of the city council. – Perseus Echeminada