Davao congressional candidate junks Roco

DAVAO CITY — A congressional candidate here allied with presidential bet Raul Roco jumped ship midway through the campaign period and joined the Lakas-CMD (Christian-Muslim Democrats) to support the candidacy of President Arroyo.

Councilor Teresita Mata-Marañon, who is running in the city’s third congressional district, said it took her and her mother, Paz Mata, a city council bet, thorough deliberation and careful consideration to reach the decision which she announced last Tuesday.

Marañon said no one influenced them into joining Mrs. Arroyo’s party. First district Rep. Prospero Nograles welcomed the development.

Marañon and her mother spearheaded the campaign rally of Roco and his Alyansa ng Pag-asa party in Barangay Mintal, Calinan district last Feb. 18. — Edith Regalado