Arroyo cousin re-elected LMP national president

BINALONAN, Pangasinan — This town’s mayor, a cousin of President Arroyo, was re-elected unopposed as national president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) in elections held last Friday at the Manila Hotel.

Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico Jr., 51, told The STAR in a phone interview that he was thankful to 70 of 79 mayors who are LMP chapter presidents nationwide, who took part in their elections graced by Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes.

This is the first time in LMP history that its president gets elected for a second consecutive term unopposed.

"I am dedicating this fresh mandate to our beloved President who knows and responds to the various concerns of mayors nationwide through our league," Guico said.

Immediately after he was elected, Mrs. Arroyo called up Guico to congratulate him.

Guico said he was elated that he got the blessings and help of the Office of the President, his colleagues in the LMP, the Biskeg na Pangasinan headed by former Sto. Tomas mayor Antonio Villar Jr., and the different political parties.

"We knew that with Monching (Guico) as the LMP national president again, mayors would have an easier access to Malacañang for their respective towns’ needs because he is their vital link to President Arroyo," Villar said.

Villar worked for the re-election of Guico, unopposed, as president of the Pangasinan Mayors’ League last month.

Pangasinan mayors rejoiced over Guico’s re-election as LMP national president and called him up in his cellular phone to extend their congratulations.

One of the well-wishers was Bayambang Mayor Leocadio de Vera Jr., who gave way twice to Guico for the presidency of the Pangasinan Mayors’ League.

"This is surely another pride for Pangasinan and rest assured that I will double my efforts to serve my fellow mayors nationwide," Guico said.

Guico has been mayor of this town since 1987.

Elected along with Guico to serve three-year terms as LMP officers were the following: Mayors Jose Carlos Cari (Baybay, Leyte), executive vice president for operations; Ambrosio Cruz (Guiguinto, Bulacan), EVP for internal affairs; Gabriel Catane (Rizal, Zamboanga del Norte), EVP for external affairs; and Napoleon Dy (Alicia, Isabela), EVP for special concerns.

Elected as vice presidents were Mayors Melquiades Gaite (Baao, Camarines Sur), Raul Tupas (Barotac Viejo, Iloilo) and Claudius Barroso (Tampakan, South Cotabato) for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, respectively.

The other new LMP officers are Mayors Gerardo Calderon (Angono, Rizal), secretary general; Dennis Pineda (Lubao, Pampanga), national treasurer; Ronald Allan Cesante (Dalaguete, Cebu), auditor; Zenaida Azcuna (Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental), business manager; Christopher Piccio (Belison, Antique), public relations officer; and Maria Zita Valera (Bangued, Abra) and Geminiano Galicia Jr. (San Andres, Romblon), general legal counsels.

In his report to the national directorate last Friday, Guico said during his 2001-2003 term, the LMP was able to streng—then its national secretariat as well as the various chapters.

With such a move, "we were able to regain the thrust of our partners, both local and foreign," he said.

Under Guico’ watch, the LMP also reinvigorated its partnership with different government and private agencies.

Guico added that the LMP has successfully initiated the Gamutang Maaasahan Alay ng Pangulo, which provides medicines to every municipal government, in partnership with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the Philippine International Trading Corp.