USELESS
FIGHT. Domingo Samuya alias "Ka Aryong" goes back to the fold of
the law after he realized that joining the New People's Army was "a senseless
journey." He takes his oath of allegiance before Prov'l Prosecutor Toribio
Quiwag and Gov. Erico Aumentado, whom he surrendered to last Friday noon. With
him are wife Vetaliana and their 17-year old daughter. | | The
administration-backed Lakas Christian-Muslim Democrats (Lakas CMD) together with
the pro-administration Kampi yesterday vowed to unite for a strong political machinery
for the May 2007 elections.
Gov. Erico Aumentado, party provincial chair,
met for the first time the strong administration political leaders in the entire
province during a closed door meeting he presided at the Governor's Mansion yesterday
morning. Media was barred from the meeting as it discussed ticklish issues which
need to be attended to "internally" by party leaders. |
Emerging
from the meeting, Gov. Aumentado told the Chronicle in an exclusive interview
that the meeting was purely to alert everyone in the party to start organizing
for next year's election which is barely six months away. | | | He
said that the process to decide on who will be the official party candidate is
tedious since it has to reach the national hierarchy especially on sensitive issues.
Pressed
to comment on what will be his stand on areas where contenders for top positions
are being waged by two or more strong leaders identified with the administration,
Gov. Aumentado said it has to undergo a convention. He did not elaborate.
The
crucial issue regarding the administration choice for congressman in the third
district was not discussed during yesterday's meeting. |
It
maybe noted that since Rep. Eladio Jala will be wrapping up his three terms, at
least five names surfaced as interested to succeed him, namely, his brother, City
DepEd head Elpidio Jala, provincial Board Member Dionisio Balite, former Gov.
Rene Relampagos, lawyer Alexander Lim and Manila businessman Angelo Balili.
Political
observers suspect that the district might be declared "free zone" to
avoid commitments on the part of Gov. Aumentado.
However,
during the meeting yesterday, last termer Rep. Jala requested that since he has
no position to go with the unification move, he will appreciate if given the post
as assistant secretary of the Department of Tranportation and Communication (DOTC),
handling the Panglao Bohol International Airport, a position presently held by
former Mayor Joe Torralba. That, "if he runs for city mayor of Tagbilaran,"
Jala clarified.
CITY
MAYORALTY
Gov.
Aumentado was very evasive at commenting on the city mayoralty race. He said that
this is still "far from being decided by the provincial party hierarchy."
However,
former Mayor Torralba attended the meeting yesterday.
Torralba,
interviewed after the meeting, confirmed to the Chronicle that he is making a
political comeback in the city. In fact, he mentioned City Kagawad Jose Antonio
Veloso as his choice for running mate.
This
could not be confirmed by the party this early.
City
Mayor Dan Lim, meantime, who was earlier reported to be given the assurance to
be sworn to Lakas said that he is not after the party nomination saying he can
run under any political party. | 
