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Former
Pres. Joseph Estrada has offered Manila-based Boholano businessman
Angelo Balili to run for Bohol governor in a bid to lead the
opposition campaign trail in the province for the May polls.
Balili
confirmed this to the Chronicle just before deadline last
night after a two-hour talk with Senator Jinggoy Estrada at
the Estrada home at Polk St., in San Juan City past 3 o'clock
yesterday afternoon.
"Even
as I know that politics is addition, I was non-committal to
the offer," Balili said while telling the group that
he will decide tomorrow morning regarding the offer.
Makati
Mayor Jejomar Binay likewise convinced Balili to lead the
opposition in the province.
During
the conference, several names were mentioned to comprise the
local opposition slate under the Partido ng Masang Pilipino
(PMP), namely Prov'l Board Member Godofreda Tirol as probable
running mate while the congressional bets include former OIC
Gov. Victor de la Serna and former Gov. Rene Relampagos for
the first and third districts, respectively.
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During
the Chronicle interview, Balili said "I should
learn to say no," when he was pressed to accept
the offer right during yesterday's closed door conference.
After
the two-hour talk which ended at 5:40pm yesterday, Sen.
Estrada personally escorted Balili to the gate saying
"O, sa Monday ha?" (referring to the gubernatorial
offer).
This
latest development surfaced even as Balili himself has
not made his final decision on the much awaited announcement
regarding his congressional bid in the 3rd district.
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Balili's
name was endorsed to the Estrada camp by former Gov. Rene
Relampagos who was earlier offered by Sen,. Estrada to run
the opposition campaign in the province.
The
former governor has decided to run for congressman in the
3rd district, the same district where Balili is groomed to
run for the same post as well.
With
this standing offer to be the opposition's standard bearer
for governor in the province, Balili said that it will polarize
the local political landscape on the event he will accept
the offer.
In
fact, he learned that while their conference with Estrada
was in progress, calls were made to former Gov. Relampagos
and City Mayor Dan Lim who is identified with the Estradas.
Former OIC Gov de la Serna was likewise called after they
learned that he is running for congressman in the first district
against Rep. Edgar Chatto.
However,
reports reaching the Chronicle bared that Balili could not
easily accept the offer since Gov. Aumentado has earlier indicated
inclination to anoint Balili as the official administration
Lakas bet for congressman in the 3rd district of the province.
The
Manila based businessman was handpicked by the Estrada group
to run against Aumentado. Earlier, the opposition even courted
movie actor/director Cesar Montano to run against Aumentado
who has still his last three-year term to serve as governor.
Balili
is scheduled to arrive here on Wednesday, the day before the
last day of filing of the certificates of candidacies to announce
his decision.
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