Leviste is LP’s bet for Batangas top post

BATANGAS – Sen. Ralph Recto has endorsed Vice Gov. Marc Leviste as the Liberal Party’s (LP) gubernatorial candidate in 2016.

Three-termer Leviste was overwhelmed by the endorsement, saying he has been waiting for it from the senator and his wife Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto.

The endorsement was made at Lima Hotel in Malvar town last Friday, in the presence of members of the provincial board, municipal and city mayors and department heads of the provincial government.

In a text message to The STAR, Recto confirmed endorsing Leviste, who has been the vice governor of his wife for three terms.

Leviste earlier announced that he would give way to Recto if the senator decides to run for governor in 2016.

Recto decided to take his last term as senator in next year’s election.

Leviste will face three other contenders for the province’s top post – former governor and congressman Hermilando Mandanas of the United Nationalist Alliance, Batangas Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza of Nationalist People’s Coalition and AGAP party-list Rep. Nicanor Briones.

Aside from Leviste, Briones was also expecting the endorsement of the Rectos.

Briones said he would still run for governor under another political party after failing to win the nod of the LP.

Mandanas and Mendoza were unfazed by Recto’s endorsement of Leviste.

Leviste’s running mate will be board member Carlos Bolilia.