Mar's trusted man present in opposition gathering
TAPAZ, Capiz – The presence of the trusted man of Sen. Mar Roxas, Emmanuel “Tawi” Billones, in the gathering of oppositionists like Nonong Palomar last Saturday surprised political observers here.
Palomar on Saturday announced his intention to run for mayor against incumbent Mayor Rosemarie Gardose in 2010.
In the same gathering Former PNP Chief Gen. Roberto “Bobby” Lastimoso and Cesar Cobrador declared that will also run in 2010 election. Lastimoso will run for 2nd district congressman while Cobrador will run against Dao Mayor Joselito Escutin.
Last Friday, Mrs. Judy Araneta Roxas, mother of Sen. Roxas, had a lunch meeting with 14 mayors of Capiz at her residence in Barangay Baybay in Roxas City, reportedly for reunion and exchange pleasantries among the municipal mayors to plan out their support for her son's presidential bid.
Present during the lunch meeting with Mrs. Roxas were: Gov. Victor Tanco, Sr., City Mayor Vicente Bermejo, Panay Mayor Dante Bermejo, Panitan Mayor Kit Belo, Pontevedra Mayor Steve Contreras, Maayon Mayor Belegio Dueñas, Ex-Pilar Mayor Ike Patricio, representing his wife Incumbent Mayor Rita Patricio, Pres. Roxas Mayor Rosauro Buenafe, all from 1st district; Ivisan Mayor Felipe Yap, Sigma Mayor Maria Andaya, Tapaz Mayor Rosemarie Gardose, Dumalag Mayor Lilia Castro, Cuartero Mayor Roger Flores, Dumarao Mayor Leslie Warren Benjamen and Mambusao Mayor Jose Alba, all from 2nd district. Only Dao Mayor Joselito Escutin, Jamindan Mayor Ethel Jinon and Sapian Mayor Arturo Orosco were absent due to prior commitments.
Board Members from both the 1st and 2nd districts, except Board Member Raymund Locsin, were also around during the meeting with Mrs. Roxas.
It was learned that 9 out of 10 mayors of the 2nd district are loyal to Cong. Fredenil Castro who is not in good terms with Gov. Tanco.
Castro, a last termer congressman who reportedly is pushing for his wife Inday Baby Jane Tan Castro to be his successor, is groomed to run against Gov. Tanco, Sr in 2010 election.
However, the Castro camp said that the congressman will not run for governor and will focus on campaigning for Sen. Roxas for president in the next election.
A reliable source told TNT that Billones has no clearance from Sen. Roxas when he attended the opposition party in Tapaz, Capiz.
Political observers fear that Sen. Roxas's political allies will be divided into two factions if the senator could not settle the conflict.