Lapid really bent on fielding son Mark

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga - Gov. Lito Lapid is reportedly "deadset" on fielding his son Mark in next year’s gubernatorial race and is not open to giving way to presidential son Vice Gov. Mikey Arroyo.

Fidel Arcenas, Lapid’s top executive adviser, downplayed reports that Mikey, who earlier declared his plan to run for congressman in Pampanga’s second district, is now eyeing the gubernatorial post to avoid clashing with his uncle, Arturo Macapagal, who also intends to run in the second congressional district.

Arcenas quoted Mikey as informing Lapid last week that he was still bent on running for Congress.

There have been reports that Malacañang was eyeing another post for Mikey to avoid any conflict between him and his uncle in the congressional race.

"I think Gov. Lapid is deadset on fielding Mark for governor," Arcenas said.

Earlier this year, Lapid told reporters that President Arroyo had approved Mark’s gubernatorial bid under the banner of the administration Lakas-CMD party.

Mikey could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Surveys reportedly showed that he faces a formidable rival in his uncle should he run in the second congressional district.

Macapagal earlier told the local media that he would definitely run for congressman regardless of Mikey’s candidacy. Arturo is a half-brother of the President.

Meanwhile, Arcenas confirmed reports that certain local officials belonging to the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) have expressed their intention to join Lakas-CMD in time for the elections next year.

Sources said Mayors Romeo Dungca of Bacolor, Catalina Bagasina of Sasmuan, Rodrigo Canlas of San Simon, and Edgar Flores of Minalin, have already submitted their applications for Lakas membership.

Mikey reportedly endorsed their membership to the Lakas national directorate.

Also reportedly slated to join Lakas are former Apalit Mayor Oscar Tetangco, Masantol Vice Mayor Bajun Lacap, and Macabebe Vice Mayor Pete Yabut.

With majority of local officials belonging to Lakas, Lapid still reportedly wants to be given full authority to pick the party’s official candidates in Pampanga’s 22 towns in next year’s polls.

"In the past, the Lakas national directorate gave Lapid the full authority to choose the official candidates in Pampanga, and this seems to be his preference in the coming elections," Arcenas said.

In the 2001 elections, he said Lapid made sure that Rep. Juan Pablo Bondoc had no opponent in the fourth district because of the alliance between Lakas and the NPC.

Arcenas, however, admitted that Lapid would face some difficulties should he be authorized to select Lakas’ official candidates if the Lakas-NPC alliance remains intact in next year’s elections.

Bondoc and NPC’s Rep. Zenaida Ducut (second district) are expected to slug it out against Mark for the governorship.