LRay Predicts More Defection to NP

NAGA CITY (29 March) - Nacionalista Party (NP) provincial chairman and incumbent Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte predicted at a news conference here on Sunday (March 28) that more defections will happen from the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD and from the Liberal Party in Bikol.

Villafuerte made the prediction following the revelation of a Daet reporter that former Daet governor Jesus "Atoy" Typoco Jr., including his followers in that province were defecting to the NP.

Typoco was forced to step-down as governor after losing an electoral protest case made against him by erstwhile Camarines Norte Vice-Gov. Edgardo "Egay" Tallado, who formally assumed as governor of the province last week.

Reportedly, Typoco had blamed his loss in the electoral case, on his party, Lakas-Kampi, for abandoning him during his legal battle in the COMELEC.

NP Presidential bet Manuel Villar confirmed that Typoco will finally update the media of his final acceptance as new member of the Nacionalista Party.

In mid-last year, Governor L-Ray Villafuerte also surprised constituents of the province by bolting Lakas and joining the Nacionalista Party, bringing with him more than 20 of the 35 mayors of Camarines Sur and more than 3,000 barangay leaders.

Meanwhile, Villar's presidential campaign in Bikol during the weekend was headed by popular TV host Willie Revillame of "Wowowee" and World Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao at the fully packed Pili Capitol Complex. (SONNY SALES)