"That’s a healthy development. I suppose I will be facing a gentlemanly campaign with Roi running against me," Arroyo told The STAR after LAMP sources bared that Vinzons is being persuaded to run against him.
Earlier, Lakas NUCD came out with a list of its local candidates in next year’s polls, led by Gov. Lito Lapid as reelectionist.
The list identified Vinzons as Lakas NUCD candidate for provincial board member in Pampanga’s third district, but LAMP officials have reportedly recruited him to be their vice gubernatorial bet.
Arroyo, 31, has already announced that he would seek the vice gubernatorial post under Lakas NUCD, the same party that catapulted his mother to the vice presidency.
"I am confident that Capampangans will decide in next year’s elections on the basis of political lineage, educational attainment, and what one has already contributed to the province," Arroyo said in a telephone interview.
Arroyo is likely to be the official running mate of Lapid who is seeking a third and last term as governor, after incumbent Vice Governor Clayton Olalia abandoned plans for reelection to give way to Arroyo.
At the same time, LAMP officials said Bacolor Mayor Ananias Canlas would be fielded at their gubernatorial candidate against Lapid.
The choice has been perceived by political observers in this province as a bid to merely fill in the party’s gubernatorial slot for want of a candidate who could beat Lapid.
Surveys have shown that Lapid, who still does action movies, remains unbeatable in this province. His name has also been surfacing in national surveys for senatoriable candidates.
Canlas was reported to have accepted the gubernatorial candidacy after his "political patron" Buddy Dungca decided to run for mayor of Bacolor.
Meanwhile, supporters of Lubao Mayor Lilia Pineda have now expressed doubts that the mayor would still pursue plans to also run for governor.
Pineda, wife of alleged gambling lord Bong Pineda, has remained in the United States where her husband had sought medical treatment and a hair transplant following the jueteng exposé of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson.
Surveys conducted by independent groups in this province indicated high ratings for Arroyo, but the surveys were done before the possible candidacy of Vinzons cropped up.
Arroyo, a bachelor, has also done several movies. On the other hand, Vinzons has starred in more action films, although he has yet to achieve the status of Lapid in the movie industry.