Lapids reject giving way to Pinedas in 2007 polls

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Senator Lito Lapid said not even President Arroyo can convince him nor his son Pampanga Gov. Mark Lapid to drop the latter’s vice gubernatorial bet in next year’s elections so as to accommodate Lubao Mayor Dennis Pineda.

In an interview here during a recent provincial Lakas party convention, the elder Lapid said he would rather break away from his political affiliation than drop local businessman Paul Laus whom he and his son had already officially announced their vice gubernatorial bet.

"I have nothing against the Pinedas and I am not about to war against them. But we will never turn back on our decision to have Laus as Mark’s running mate. That is where I will draw the political line," said the senator who also reaffirmed his plans to run for mayor of Makati City.

Lapid also said that he and his son had earlier offered Pineda the vice gubernatorial slot, but the latter refused. Supporters of Pineda, however, noted that the offer was made some two years ago and was never repeated.

Last Friday, Pineda’s mother, provincial board member Lilia Pineda, announced she would run for governor against Lapid. There have been reports that the announcement was triggered by the decision of the Lapids to field Laus instead of the Lubao mayor as Mark’s vice gubernatorial bet.

Sources said that it was Rodolfo "Bong" Pineda, husband of Lilia and father of Dennis, who had decided to go against the Lapids in the 2007 polls. During the impeachment trial against former President Estrada, Pineda was named by Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson as allegedly among the big-time jueteng lords regularly remitting "payola" to the former president.

Last Nov. 16, several mayors jumped off the Lakas bandwagon to join the Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi), also pro-Arroyo administration, as they pointed out their dissatisfaction with the administration of Mark Lapid.