Factionalism in LP cause bets to quit
ROXAS CTIY – Factionalism in the Liberal Party (LP) reportedly caused the resignation of two of its loyal members recently.
City Councilors Rogelio Delfin and Herbert Chu are said to have bolted from the dominant party here because of factionalism between LP stalwarts City Mayor Vicente Bermejo and 1st District Cong. Antonio Del Rosario.
Bermejo and Del Rosario have political differences and have their own different wings of LP.
Delfin admitted to The News Today (TNT) that he will not seek reelection to avoid hurting either Bermejo or Del Rosario who are his allies.
Delfin, however, said that he will run once Bermejo and Del Rosario reconcile and join forces.
On the other hand, Chu bolted from the LP and will seek reelection as independent to avoid hurting his allies Bermejo and Del Rosario.
Chu and his family is close to Del Rosario, while the councilor is also loyal to Bermejo being the city chief executive.
Meanwhile, there are rumors that aside from Delfin and Chu who allegedly bolted from LP with Bermejo, City Councilors Jun Anisco and Erwin Sicad will support the Del Rosario faction bringing four city councilors out of ten who bolted from Bermejo wing.
Included in the LP Del Rosario wing are: Capiz Governor Victor Tanco, Sr. and running-mate Board Member Esteban “Nonoy” Contreras as vice governor. Del Rosario said earlier that Mr. Emmanuel Billones, Sen. Mar Roxas’ uncle, will oppose Bermejo in the city mayoral race.
On the other hand, the Bermejo wing is linked to Department of Agriculture (DA) Usec. Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante for governor and former City Councilor Mark Ortiz as running-mate and Vice Governor Felipe Barredo for 1st district congressman.
Bermejo’s camp said that they will also support Sen. Mar Roxas’s vice presidential bid.
Earlier, Tanco said that the LP is waiting for Bermejo to quit from the party and if the latter will not do it, the party will decide for him.
On the other hand, Bermejo’s camp said that the city mayor, who is an LP and has an equity of incumbent, will not resign from the party but awaits the party’s decision for him.
A political analyst said that Sen. Mar Roxas will be choosing Del Rosario over Bermejo be his bet in the 2010 election.
