5 Laguna mayors dump GMA, says solon

STA. ROSA, Laguna — Five mayors in this province, along with two former mayors, have shifted support from the administration ticket to the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP), an opposition candidate said yesterday.

Rep. Rodolfo San Luis, the KNP’s gubernatorial candidate in Laguna, disclosed this as he accompanied KNP presidential standard bearer Fernando Poe Jr. and his senatorial slate in a motorcade from San Pedro to Calamba City.

San Luis said the defectors were the incumbent mayors of Mabitac, Kalayaan, Paete, Lumban and Sta. Maria towns, and two former mayors of Rizal and Louisiana towns.

He refused to say what prompted the defection. "It is normal that some leaders come while others go," he said.

Meanwhile, residents of Biñan, Sta. Rosa and Cabuyao expressed disgust that the KNP motorcade did not pass through major roads in their towns, raising speculations that local officials prevented them from doing so.

But the KNP denied this, saying the motorcade only took the highways to avoid traffic jams and keep their schedule on track.