Administration standard-bearer Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro invaded the province of Liberal Party’s vice presidential candidate, Senator Mar Roxas II, and got the support of many mayors allied with controversial Capiz gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante.
But while at least 12 mayors belonging to Bolante’s Uygon Kita Capiz (UKC) took part in Teodoro’s rally at the Dinggoy Roxas Civic Center here late Friday, Bolante himself was conspicuously absent from gathering, which was attended by some 5,000 Capiceños.
Bolante, a former agriculture undersecretary alleged to be the brains behind the P728-million fertilizer fund scam in which money intended to subsidize farmers was diverted to political supporters of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the 2004 elections, is running for governor with the support of 14 out of 17 mayors of Capiz, including Roxas City.
Bolante apparently had no choice but to stay away since he was not invited to the rally, according to mayors who took part in the rally but asked not to be identified by name for fear of the repercussions.
Teodoro arrived at 10:30 a.m. and was met by Representative Fredenil Castro of the second district of Capiz, Vice Governor Felipe Barredo and other UKC members at the Roxas City airport.
Mayors led by Vicente Bermejo of Roxas City welcomed Teodoro at the packed civic center.
In their speeches, Bermejo and Castro acknowledged Teodoro as the “most qualified presidential contender.”
The two former allies of Senator Roxas, however, avoided mentioning Roxas City in their speeches, saying only that Teodoro had the support of the people of "the city in Capiz."
Many political leaders had expected that Teodoro would raise the mayors’ hands including that of Castro, who is now in his last term and wants to be replaced by his wife Jane in the second congressional district.
Rumors have been circulating here that Castro and allied mayors will jump ship during the last days of the campaign and instead support Nacionalista Party’s standard-bearer Senator Manny Villar. But a member of Castro’s staff, Vicente Gonzales, vehemently denied the allegations.
But many pundits here have been wondering where Bermejo’s true support lies after he bolted the LP and joined Bolante.
During Villar’s visit here recently, he was accommodated by Bermejo and some mayors allied to Bolante. Bermejo and the same local leaders also accommodated former President Joseph Estrada when he visited here a month ago.
Meanwhile, the newest town chief executive to have joined Bolante was Mayor Katherine Dequiña-Belo of Panitan town, a former die-hard supporter of the LP.
Belo had been campaigning for Bolante in the past month and only confirmed recently.
The LP adopted Belo’s lone opponent, Richard “Bantit” Dadivas, head of Barangay Tincupon in Panitan who is running as an independent.
Mayors allied with Bolante who attended the rally of Teodoro were Felipe Neri Yap of Ivisan, Jose Alba of Mambusao, Ethel Jinon of Jamindan, Rosemarie Gardoce of Tapaz, Roger Flores of Cuartero, Leslie Warren Benjamin of Dumarao, Lilia Castro of Dumalag, Joselito Escutin of Dao, Dante Bermejo of Panay, Rosauro Buenafe of President Roxas, Mayor Vicente Bermejo of Roxas City.
Mayor Katherine Dequiña-Belo of Panitan was represented by town councilor Ricardo Araque.
Flores said there was no need for the mayors to formally endorse Teodoro in speeches or by raising the latter’s hand because they all belonged to the same party, Lakas-Kampi, which has affiliated with Bolante’s UKC.
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