25 town mayors, who converted to the NP (Nacionalista Party) recently, swore in back as Lakas-Kampi members before provincial political stalwart Gov. Erico Aumentado.
With the new political somersault – resulting from the Governor’s loyalty check – the Lakas-Kampi’s near party-monolith is back in place. Now the dominant administration party controls 38 of 47 municipal mayors and 12 of the 13 provincial board members.
Of course Gov. Aumentado, Vice-Gov. Julius Herrera and the three congressmen Edgar Chatto, Roberto Cajes and Adam Jala all belong to the administration bloc.
Eyebrows were raised when suddenly 25 mayors took their oaths of allegiance Sunday before NP president and former senate president Manny Villar while the Governor literally turned his back as he left for an official trip to Korea with President Gloria M. Arroyo.
In a random survey conducted by Station DYRD’s “Radyo Merkado” program, 87.5% said “it would be impossible for the mayors to take their oath to Manny Villar’s NP without the knowledge of Gov. Aumentado whose leadership is respected by the Lakas-Kampi mayors.
But Gov. Aumentado was emphatic during the meeting that the administration coalition here is critical because through that, the province can easily access several programs and projects from the national government.
That leaves 9 mayors as outside the coalition who belong to the PDP Laban, the party of former president Erap Estrada and the NPC (Nationalist People’s Coalition.)
Aside from Tagbilaran City Mayor Lim who is identified with the Estrada camp and the NPC, the other non-Lakas mayors are: Maribojoc Mayor Leoncio Evasco, Albur Mayor Cirilo Jalad, Baclayon Mayor Alvin Uy, Loon Mayor Lloyd Lopez, Calape Mayor Simplicio Yu, Tubigon Mayor Luna Piezas, all in the 1st district; Bien Unido Mayor Ninoy
Rey Boniel and Alicia Mayor Pedro Miasco.’