Lapid is one of Lakas bets for senator

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — It is definite: Gov. Lito Lapid will be fielded by the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Laks-CMD) as one of its 12 senatorial bets in next year’s elections.

"He will run for the Senate. He simply cannot say no to the President," Lapid’s provincial administrator Benalfre Galang told The STAR yesterday.

Lapid’s chief executive assistant Fidel Arcenas said they are just waiting for the transmittal (of the President’s letter proclaiming Lapid as senatorial candidate) from Malacanang."

National Housing Authority (NHA) general manager Edgardo Pamintuan, officer-in-charge of the party’s arbitration and selection committee, declined to identify the party leaders backing Lapid, but there are talks that President Arroyo herself had been urging him to run for senator.

In an earlier interview, Lapid expressed reservations about running for senator, pointing out his lack of education and difficulties in the English language. He didn’t finish high school.

But Lapid said he would not turn down the President should she ask him to run for senator.

Meanwhile, the Pampanga Lakas-CMD has also proclaimed yesterday its official mayoral and congressional candidates in the May 2004 elections.

Proclaimed official candidates for mayor in the first district are incumbent Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin, Pastor Guiao of Magalang town and Marino Morales of Mabalacat.

In the second district, the choices were Art Salalila of Sta. Rita, Exequiel Gamboa of Porac, Jose Montemayor of Floridablanca and Emil Capati of Guagua.

In the third district, its Rep. Oscar Rodriguez, Gloria Ronquillo of Sto. Tomas and Mexico Mayor Ernesto Punzalan.

In the fourth district, chosen were Tirso Lacanilao of Apalit, Babes Evangelista of Candaba, Corazon Lacap of Masantol, Pete Yabut of Macabebe, Pablo Viray of San Luis and Digos Canlas of San Simon.

In the congressional race, Presidential son Mikey Arroyo will be Lakas’ official congressional candidate for the second district. It’s Eric Domingo and Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Assistant Secretary Rene Maglangque for the third and fourth districts, respectively. No candidate was announced yet for the first district. — With Ric Sapnu