Guico keen on 3rd term as LMP head

BINALONAN, Pangasinan – With the blessings of no less than President Arroyo, this town’s mayor, Ramon Guico Jr., is confident of being elected to a third term as president of the influential 1,510-strong League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) in their balloting at Manila Hotel today.

Guico, a cousin of Mrs. Arroyo, told The STAR in a phone interview that 70 out of the league’s 81 provincial chapter presidents have expressed support for his bid.

Unlike in his two past terms where he ran unopposed, Guico said his bid this time is being challenged.

“This is democracy. Everyone is welcome to run as LMP president,” he said.

Guico said he is confident that his colleagues will judge him based on his accomplishments, adding that as LMP president for two terms, he had served as the municipal mayors’ direct link to Malacañang. – Eva Visperas