New Daet Governor Strengthens LP in Bikol

DAET, CAMARINES NORTE (29 March) - Top leaders of the Liberal Party (LP) in this province said that the assumption of Liberal Party member Edgardo Tallado as the new governor has strengthened not only his bid for the gubernatorial post in the upcoming May Elections, but also that of Liberal Party which has fielded candidates in the entire 12 Tagalog and Bikol speaking towns of Camarines Norte.

LP member and Daet mayor Tito Sarion said the assumption of Tallado "has somehow, contributed to the solidification of the Liberal Party candidates in this province."

With Tallado installed as governor, the province's top political leaders are all LP members, including lone Cam. Norte Congress-woman Liwayway Vinzons Chato, Sarion said.

An earlier report bared that Lakas-Kampi-CMD has nine incumbent mayors of the 12 towns of the province; the current political dominancy of the Lakas is being brag by former Gov. Jesus Typoco Jr., as the winning factor for administration gubernatorial bet, Labo Mayor Wenifredo Oco.

Despite Tallado's popularity soaring last week, after having won his electoral protest local   critics here said, former Gov. Roy Padilla is also emerging as a gubernatorial favorite in the coming May polls.

Padilla, who is currently Vice-governor and belongs to Estrada's Partido Ng Masang Pilipino, had distanced himself from the contending parties during last week's political tension.

The former Governor won his first-term in 1988, after his father Gov. Roy Casimiro Padilla Sr. was gunned-down by a suspected NPA assassin during the election.

During his three-terms, Padilla has been credited in building the current Capitol edifice in 1995 at a cost of a minimal P 34-Million; as well as in establishing 18 National High Schools. (SONNY SALES)