Vice guv bolts Lakas, goes Liberal
ARMADA
Major changes are expected in Iloilo's political arena as a key figure in the ruling administration party bolts out and makes a shift in party allegiance.
From Lakas party, Vice Governor Roberto Armada, the highest party official in the province gave up and resigned from his post and swore in to the Liberal Party (LP).
The shift was made weeks back but made public only this week. It was not clear what prompted Armada to get out of Lakas who has since been credited for the strong presence of the party in Iloilo.
With his Lakas departure came the Vice Governor's apology to Lakas top brass particularly with Third District Representative Arthur Defensor. Armada said he is "truly sorry" for having left without prior notice to Defensor.
Armada began his political career under the Lakas and once vowed to stick it out with the party.
"He must have been very disappointed with how Lakas is now being run and the people running the 'show,' or else the Vice Governor would not have decided to get out," a former Lakas party official said.
To note, a gathering of LP stalwarts was recently made in Manila, the party officials joining old and new members. It was to be a declaration of support for the Liberal Party with a stress that such was to be "not the (Fraklin) Drilon wing."
Earlier, rumors abound that fifth district Rep. Rolex Suplico, nephew of Governor Niel Tupas, Sr., would move in to Lakas party to become the party's candidate for Governor in next year's election.
Suplico has long been rumored to run against his uncle.
Defensor, on the other hand, does not believe that Lakas would accommodate Suplico and make him standardbearer for Iloilo province in 2007.
In a radio interview, Defensor said, that (Suplico's transfer to Lakas) would be intolerable and their partymates would strongly oppose it as Suplico had been attacking Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Defensor respected Armada's decision saying, "he must have had a strong reason for making such a bold decision."