Salceda Stays With LAKAS-KAMPI CMD; LP to Support Alfelor for CAMSUR Governor

LEGAZPI CITY (26 November) - AMID MANY DEFECTIONS from the ruling party LAKAS - KAMPI - CMD, and despite his earlier endorsement of Senator Francis Escudero for president, Albay Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda made a public statement regarding his continued stay with the administration party.

After filing his certificate of candidacy here for his reelection as governor for the second term, he cited gains by Albay province from the Arroyo administration, starting from the approved construction of the P3.4-Billion, Daraga International Airport. He mentioned also the received aid for the province's rehabilitation and reconstruction after typhoon "Reming," with typhoon victims given 10,076 lots and 5,000 shelter units worth ₱1.25- Billion, and the repair of 5,600 classrooms at ₱ 478-Million. He added that the province was also granted new public infrastructure funding  worth ₱776- Million.

Salceda also cited the installation of a modern Doppler Radar worth ₱560-Million as an aid to the province in disaster preparedness; and the ₱977.3-Million in support services to the poor under the 4Ps or "Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program" with monthly financial subsidy to some 70,000 of the poorest families in Albay.

For this reason, he lauded the Arroyo administration for supporting Albay province which "achieved social prosperity and economic progress" after the devastation of volcanic eruptions and typhoons.

Meanwhile in Camarines Sur province, despite the early defection of former LAKAS- provincial chairman Gov L-Ray Villafuerte together with his incumbent vice-governor, board members and mayors to the Nacionalista Party in October this year, the Liberal Party in Bikol declared that the official LAKAS-KAMPI gubernatorial bet, 4^th district Congressman Felix Alfelor Jr., is now being adopted as a "guest candidate" of the Liberal Party.

According to LP National Executive Vice-President and Naga Mayor Jess Robredo, the LP will not field a gubernatorial candidate in Cam. Sur, but will instead support Alfelor in his gubernatorial bid. (SONNY SALES)