2 GMA allies vying for Davao Norte gov

DAVAO CITY — Two staunch supporters of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are slugging it out for governor of Davao del Norte — and seeking her blessings as well.

The two are incumbent Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario and former Agriculture Secretary Roberto Sebastian, who belong, respectively, to Lakas-NUCD and Reforma, both member-parties of the People Power Coalition.

Del Rosario is the brother-in-law of banana magnate Antonio Floirendo Jr., long regarded as a political kingpin in this part of the country even during the Marcos regime.

The Sebastians and the Floirendos have always been at loggerheads in local politics, although there were some instances when they supported or were part of the same national political parties.

Politics in Davao del Norte has always been a show of forces between the two clans, who are both in the banana industry.

Also seeking re-election in the province’s first congressional district is Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr., who is running under the PPC.

His candidacy is getting a big boost from his wife, former Miss Universe Margie Moran-Floirendo, who, reports said, has been relentlessly working behind the scenes to push her husband’s re-election.

Also expected to campaign for Del Rosario and Floirendo is actress Dawn Zulueta, who is married to Anton Lagdameo, a nephew of the congressman.

Meanwhile, in Compostela Valley, first district Rep. Rogelio Sarmiento is running for governor against incumbent Gov. Jose Caballero.

Sarmiento, who is on his third and last term in Congress, is running under the PPC, being a Lakas-NUCD member.