Mark Lapid, Yeng Guiao team up in P’panga race

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Like father, like son.

Reminiscent of the political histories of their fathers, provincial board members Mark Lapid, son of Gov. Lito Lapid, and Joseller "Yeng" Guiao, son of the late Gov. Bren Guiao, declared yesterday their alliance in the coming May elections.

Guiao, a known basketball coach, formally announced that he was accepting Mark’s invitation to be his vice gubernatorial running mate under the banner of the administration party Lakas-Christian-Muslim Democrats (CMD).

"We have much to work for. We are determined to work together while, at the same time, agreeing to respect each other’s independence," Yeng said during the launch of their candidacies here in the presence of other local Lakas-CMD bets.

In 1992, the late Gov. Guiao was re-elected governor, while the elder Lapid, who belonged then to the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), won as vice governor. Lapid later joined Guiao in Lakas.

In 1995, however, the two broke up and ran against each other for governor, with Lapid winning overwhelmingly.

"Our alliance has a historical bearing that must culminate in a working relationship for the benefit of Pampanga," the young Guiao said.

Also joining the gubernatorial fray are Reps. Juan Pablo Bondoc (fourth district) and Zenaida Ducut (second district), both belonging to the NPC.

Ducut’s running mate is former Vice Gov. Clayton Olalia, while Bondoc is expected to announce his running mate today. Bondoc has reportedly been persuading Arturo Macapagal, President Arroyo’s half-brother, to be his vice gubernatorial bet.

Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales, Pampanga Mayors’ League president, described the Mark-Yeng tandem as a "blockbuster."

He said Mark, who is also a movie actor like his father, has become popular among the youth and old folk alike, while Yeng, who has been known as a fiscalizer in the provincial board, has had a wide following as a basketball coach even before he entered politics.— With Ric Sapnu