LP tried to regain Bermejo but failed
ROXAS CITY – A last minute attempt to persuade City Mayor Vicente Bermejo not to leave the Liberal Party (LP) became a failure.
A source told The News Today that Sen. Mar Roxas sent an emissary last week to the mayor’s office to have a dialogue to iron out political differences between the senator’s chosen candidates and the mayor.
According to the source, Bermejo was offered by Sen. Roxas that he will be unopposed in 2010 election provided he will take a vacation leave after he files his Certificate of Candidacy (COC).
The condition of Sen. Roxas, according to the source, meant that the mayor will only save himself, abandon and sacrifice his loyal followers in exchange of becoming unopposed by the LP in next year’s election.
The same source said that Bermejo turned down the offer and eventually accept being kicked out from the LP.
Bermejo, an LP stalwart, started his political career when he was appointed as officer-in-charge (OIC) mayor in Panay, Capiz after Edsa Revolution in 1986. He was elected and became a third termer mayor of Panay. He finished his three terms as governor of Capiz from 1998 to 2007 and in the same year, he was anointed by LP as city mayor where he won.
Bermejo, it was learned, has political differences with 1st District Cong. Antonio del Rosario in which both camps vowed not to be an ally with each other again.
Yesterday, former Vice Mayor Allan Celino was declared by Mrs. Judy Araneta Roxas as her son’s (Sen. Roxas) bet for city mayor to oppose Bermejo in 2010 election. The pronouncement was held at the Brgy. Loctugan Plaza yesterday.
Last Wednesday, Celino and his father Angel Celino were called by Sen. Roxas at their residence in Cubao, Manila to discuss the plan for 2010 where he was told to be the LP’s official candidate for city mayor.
Celino, who was an LP member for nine years, bolted from the party in 2004 when he run and won against Roxas’ bet former Vice Mayor Roberto Ignacio.
In the 2007 elections, he ran for congressman in the First District of Capiz but he lost to former Mayor Antonio del Rosario.
