Pampanga vice governor gives way to Mikey for 2001 elections

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Vice Gov. Clayton Olalia, who belongs to Lakas-NUCD, announced yesterday that he is giving way to vice presidential son Mikey Arroyo who wants to run for vice governor under the same party in next year’s polls.

In an interview, Olalia said his decision was prompted by his desire to rally all political leaders in this province behind Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who now heads the United Opposition, amid calls for President Estrada to resign. Olalia earlier had wanted to seek another term as vice governor.

Lakas-NUCD leaders in this province bared yesterday its line-up of local candidates in next year’s polls. Although the list showed that Gov. Lito Lapid would seek a third and final term, it did not name the party’s vice gubernatorial candidate.

In Pampanga’s second district, the Lakas-NUCD mayoral candidates include incumbents Exequiel Gamboa of Porac and Arthur Salalila of Sta. Rita. Those who will oppose incumbents are Eddie Guerrero of Floridablanca and Fernando Baltazar of Sasmuan.

Party leaders have not yet named candidates for Guagua where Mayor Pat Magcalas of Lapian ng Masang Pilipino (LAMP) is seeking another term, and Lubao where Mayor Lilia Pineda is on her third and last term.

In the third district, the Lakas-NUCD mayoral candidates include incumbents Rey Aquino of San Fernando and Ernesto Punzalan of Mexico. Challenging the incumbents are Bobby Dungca of Bacolor, Ramoncito Barro of Sta. Ana and Nelson de la Cruz of Arayat.

In the fourth district, the Lakas-NUCD incumbents are Corazon Lacap of Masantol, Rico Laxa of Macabebe, Tirso Lacanilao of Apalit, Azor Sitchon of San Simon, and Romy Ronquillo of Sto. Tomas. Jerry Pelayo of Candaba will challenge the incumbent, while no candidates have yet been named for Minalin and San Luis.

In the first district, incumbent Marino Morales will seek another term, while Norman Lacson will be fielded instead of incumbent Mayor Pastor Guiao, who is also with Lakas-NUCD.

No mayoral candidate for Angeles City has yet been named, although incumbent Mayor Carmelo Lazatin is also with Lakas-NUCD.

Except for former Didi Domingo in Pampanga’s third district, the Lakas-NUCD has also yet to name its congressional candidates in the province’s three other districts.

Olalia said he has lost interest in politics. However, he said he would be ready to support the United Opposition in Pampanga.

"I will no longer seek reelection in favor of Mikey to manifest my desire to help the United Opposition. Besides, it would be in the interest of Pampanga that Mikey becomes its vice governor amid the possibility that his mother would become the country’s next president," Olalia added. – Ding Cervantes