‘Be wary of turncoats’

Former Bulacan Gov. Roberto Pagdanganan urged leaders of the Lakas-NUCD party yesterday to rigidly screen applications for party membership.

Pagdanganan, who claimed he was a victim of the "dagdag-bawas" (vote-shaving/padding) scheme in the 1998 senatorial elections, said party leaders should be careful in accepting new members, particularly turncoats.

Pagdanganan also urged the party leadership to strictly adhere to the "equity of the incumbent" rule in filling up its senatorial ticket.

He said Lakas leaders should prioritize the senatorial bids of their original members before adopting other candidates belonging to other political parties.

Top officials of the Lakas-NUCD have assured Pagdanganan of a slot in the party’s 12-man senatorial ticket.

A majority of Lakas-NUCD members, Lito Osmeña’s Promdi and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Kampi are supporting his bid.

Local officials, including Pampanga Gov. Lito Lapid and Caloocan Mayor Rey Malonzo, and various cooperatives nationwide are also endorsing Pagdanganan’s candidacy.