New Political Alignments Seen in Camarines Sur

IRIGA CITY (14 October)- Camarines Sur Fourth District Congressman Felix "Nancing" Alfelor Jr. confirmed during talks with newsmen here that the LAKAS-KAMPI ruling party had endorsed him as its official gubernatorial bet in Camarines Sur province.

Reportedly, Alfelor is also being eyed by Bikolano Presidentiable, Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero of the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) to be an adopted gubernatorial candidate for Camarines Sur.

Alfelor, however, said that he will decline any offer of an alliance with the NPC being the district chairman of the LAKAS-KAMPI in the Rinconada district of the province.

Since early this year, Camarines Sur Second District Congressman Luis R. VIllafuerte, former KAMPI national president, has maintained a political alliance with two other political top-guns of the province, namely Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Sec. Rolando Andaya Jr. and Cam. Sur First District  Representative Diosdado "Dato" Arroyo. Both Andaya and Arroyo have endorsed Alfelor for the gubernatorial bet against incumbent Cam. Sur Gov. Luis Raymund "L-Ray" Villafuerte.

Alfelor aired optimism that after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has signed the re-apportioning bill into law which creates five political districts in Cam. Sur province, his gubernatorial bid under LAKAS-KAMPI will be further strengthened by the alliance of Villafuerte, Andaya, and Arroyo.

Meanwhile, it was reported that the local chairman of the Liberal Party, Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo who is supporting presidentiable Nonoy Aquino and Mar Roxas, will also field a gubernatorial contender.

In a related development, Gov. "L-Ray" Villafuerte is leaving the Lakas party and is joining Senator Manuel Villar's Nationalista Party (NP) to run as its gubernatorial candidate.

A mass oath taking ceremonies scheduled today that would have highlighted the bolting of prominent local political personalities led by Camarines Sur Governor LRay Villafuerte from Lakas-Kampi-CMD into the fold of the Nacionalista Party (NP) has been postponed due to inclement weather.

The CamSur governor along with other Lakas leaders of the province were set to take their oath of allegiance before NP president and presidential bet Manny Villar at the Provincial Capitol Convention Center here, Wednesday October 14 where about 30,000 leaders were expected to attend.

League of Municipalities President Nabua Mayor Fernando Simbulan, Vice Mayors' League President Nat Capucao, Councilors' League President Antonio Olaño and ABC President Glen Gontang will also take their oath and pledge of allegiance to the Nacionalista Party. (SONNY SALES)