Lapid ready to field candidates vs 17 mayors who bolted Lakas, but…

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Pampanga Gov. Mark Lapid said he would be compelled to field candidates against the 17 mayors who bolted the Lakas party to join Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino or Kampi, but stressed that he is willing to reconcile with them.

Provincial administrator Fidel Arcenas, Lapid’s campaign manager, said that despite the mayors’ virtual political coup d’etat, "the governor has no ill-feelings against them."

Speaking in Lapid’s behalf, Arcenas debunked allegations that the governor has come up with a list of local Lakas candidates for next year’s elections.

While the mayors said their split with Lapid would not affect their support for President Arroyo since Kampi is also pro-administration, political observers here said it would pose a problem for Mrs. Arroyo as to which party to support in the 2007 mid-term polls.

The President, according to them, would likely intervene to reunite the local political leaders.

The 17 mayors, all members of the Pampanga Mayors’ League (PML), took their oaths as Kampi members the other day.

In a statement, they said their move was meant "to set a new direction for the province," as they cited the "need for a strong leadership and a sense of direction at the provincial level that can guide and complement the united efforts of the municipal chief executives."

Some of them, particularly those on their third and last term as mayor, said Lapid has sidestepped their plans to run for other local positions.

Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo said the new Kampi members plan to put up a new local party, Lakas Kapampangan, which will field its own candidates in the 2007 polls.

Arcenas said Lapid has yet to come up with a list of recommended candidates for local positions to be submitted to the Lakas general secretariat.

He, however, said, "There are things to be taken into account, such as political considerations, the principle of the equity of the incumbent, and the situation of local officials affected by the fielding of candidates in coming up with the final list."

Despite the mayors’ move, Arcenas said Lapid "harbors no enmity" and "still welcomes reconciliation."

He, however, said that should the new Kampi provincial leadership field its own candidates in the 2007 elections, Lapid "would be compelled to field his own candidates" against them.

"But at the end of the day, it will not really matter much because Kampi and Lakas are both supportive of the Arroyo administration," he added.

The mayors who took their oaths as Kampi members included Pelayo, Edgar Flores of Minalin, Digos Canlas of San Simon, Lucas Arceo of Sto. Tomas, Robert Salalila of Sta. Rita, Buddy Dungca of Lubao, Darwin Manalansan of Floridablanca, Catalina Bagasina of Sasmuan, Francisco Gaddi of Sta. Ana, Tirso Lacanilao of Apalit, and Ricardo Rivera of Guagua. 

Pelayo said Dennis Pineda of Lubao, Teddy Tumang of Mexico, Peter Flores of Macabebe, and Exequiel Gamboa of Porac earlier had taken their oaths as Kampi members.

Those who have remained with Lakas were Mayors Marino Morales of Mabalacat, Oscar Rodriguez of San Fernando City, and Bobong Flores of Masantol.

Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin is not a PML member since Angeles is a chartered city outside the jurisdiction of the provincial government.