No Lakas-NPC coalition in N. Vizcaya

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — They may be political allies in the national level but the Lakas-Christian-Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) here are bitter enemies, especially in the race for the province’s lone congressional seat.

The administration’s Lakas-CMD formally endorsed on Friday former Police General Thompson Lantion as its official congressional bet here who will run against three-term Gov. Rodolfo Agbayani of NPC.

With this development, the more than 100,000 Novo Vizcayano registered voters are now anticipating a grand contest between the multi-awarded governor and the bemedalled police officer, who both hail from this province’s vote-rich capital town.

A former regional trial court judge-turned governor, Agbayani will reportedly file his certificate of candidacy before the end of the year.

On the other hand, Lantion, who was elected Lakas-CMD provincial chairman here in last month’s party convention, said he will file his candidacy on Jan. 5, Benjie de Yro, Lakas media relations officer here, said.

Last Dec. 4, House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Lakas-CMD national party chairman, and former Environment Secretary Heherson Alvarez, the party’s secretary-general, endorsed Lantion as the administration party’s bet for congressman .

In addition, President Arroyo, Lakas-CMD titular head, has already affirmed Lantion’s election as chairman of Lakas-CMD here, in preparation for the former police general’s congressional candidacy next year.

Lantion served as police deputy regional director for Central Luzon, then as regional director for Cagayan Valley before he was appointed as PNP director of the police directorate for research and development and later as director for community relations.

Lantion belongs to the Philippine Military Academy Class ’69. His classmates include Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza, former Armed Forces chief-of-staff and now Post-Master General Diomedeo Villanueva, former Philippine Army chiefs Lt. Generals Jaime Delos Santos and Gregorio Camiling.

Lantion, spokesman of the Department of Transportation and Communications, declared his congressional bid as an "alternative to the old political faces here with fresh hope, new politics and better leadership."

On the other hand, Agbayani said a congressional term for him would "ensure continuity of our development programs we have been pushing for the past several years."