Lakas-Kampi unity ticket in Nueva Vizcaya sealed

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — While there is still infighting among allies of President Arroyo in most provinces, the administration’s Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and the President’s party, the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) have already cemented their alliance here on Friday by forming a ‘unity ticket’ to face the ruling Abante Nueva Vizcaya, which is alligned to the opposition, led by former House deputy speaker and minority leader Carlos Padilla.

"The alliance among the political allies of the President in the province has already been sealed. All issues have been threshed out as far as who will compose the provincial and municipal tickets among the Lakas and Kampi members in the province," said senior board member Patricio Dumlao Jr., acting Lakas-CMD chairman here.

With the Lakas-Kampi unification, the candidate for this province’s lone congressional and gubernatorial post would be Rep. Rodolfo Agbayani or Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Thompson Lantion. On the other hand, the vice governorship is a toss between Dumlao or prominent human rights lawyer Ernesto Salunat, who is also open for nomination for congressman.

"Agbayani for congressman and Lantion for governor or vice versa, would not be a problem for us. Definitely, they are the shoo-ins for any of the top two positions," said Dumlao, son and namesake of the late long-time governor Patricio Dumlao.

For his part, Salunat said that he is ready to fill in as the alliance’s congressional bet should Lantion decide to stay at LTFRB and Agbayani runs for governor.

"We can’t let Padilla ran unopposed. I’m willing to face him if the alliance says so," said Salunat, also the former president of the Northern Luzon’s chapter of Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

Dumlao said the only thing they need to resolve is the mayoralty issue in vote-rich Bambang, the hometown of incumbent Gov. Luisa Lloren-Cuaresma, of Abante Nueva Vizcaya.

Former Court of Appeals Justice Eugenio Labitoria and former provincial prosecutor and now second termer board member Flaviano Balgos are competing for the nomination as the Lakas-Kampi unity candidate for Bambang mayor.

The President’s allies here would be facing the formidable slate of Abante Nueva Vizcaya, with Padilla seeking to reclaim the lone congressional post, which he held for almost two decades, and with Cuaresma and Vice Gov. Jose Gambito bent on gunning for a second term.

Political observers here said the Agbayani-Lantion-led Lakas-Kampi unity ticket and the Padilla-Cuaresma-Gambito’s Abante team are almost on equal footing in terms of political machinery and winnability.

"Definitely, it will be the Iglesia Ni Cristo votes, which will spell the difference. Whoever gets the INC endorsement among the candidates either from the administration allies and Padilla’s party would be sure winners," said the veteran writer and political observer Norma Navoa of Solano town here.

According to Lakas-CMD officials here, Malacañang is reportedly serious in blocking the return of Padilla, who was influential in pushing for a possible impeachment bid against the President.

The Lakas regional leadership here, led by former Justice Secretary Silvestre Bello III, is pushing for Agbayani as the unity ticket’s candidate for congressman, believing that he could trounce Padilla, also a close political ally of opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

Lantion said it all depends on the President to decide who between him and Agbayani should run for congressman or governor.

"Right now, I’m concentrating full time at the LTFRB, which the President entrusted to me. It all depends on her if she wants me to remain in the LTFRB or to seek an elective post," said Lantion, who hails from this capital town.