The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), the party that carried President Rodrigo Duterte to victory in Bohol, has to resolve the issue on who has the authority to issue the certificates of nomination and acceptance to those interested in running under the administration party, three days before the end of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for all elective positions and CONA.
To ease a simmering political tension between Rep. Art Yap, the gubernatorial timber of PDP-Laban and Vice-Governor Dionisio Balite who is running for congressman in the 3rd district, Yap inhibited from signing the CONAs of the party’s candidates.
“I personally arranged with Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel to send one of the PDP’s authorized signatories for the CONAs to sign in my behalf,” according to Yap.
Engineer Salvador Ty, PDP Vice President for the National Capital Region (NCR) did the signing of all CONAs of PDP candidates endorsed by Yap.
However, those who were identified with the faction of Balite were left in the dark after they were instructed to proceed to the Bohol Institute of Technology International College campus in Tagbilaran City while those endorsed by Yap proceeded to the Kew Hotel.
Upon learning that the signing of PDP CONAs was at Kew Hotel, Balite personally went to the hotel and attempted to convince Engr, Ty to sign also the CONAs of the candidates waiting at the BIT International College.
But Engr. Ty politely turned down Balite’s request reportedly saying that he was under strict instruction from PDP top officials to sign only CONAs of candidates endorsed by Yap, according to sources privy to the matter.
Former judge Carlos Fernando of Loboc, Yap’s protégé for congressman of the 3rd district, however, will run under the National Unity Party (NUP) after Balite secured the signature of PDP President Pimentel in his CONA as the party’s official candidate.
GAINING STRENGTH
A partial list released by the office of Yap showed five incumbent mayors whose CONAs were endorsed by Yap and signed by Ty.
Batuan Mayors Antonino Jumawid of Batuan, Ma. Katrina Lim-Yee of Valencia, Conrada Amparo of Duero, Albino Balo of Guindulman and Juanito Jayoma of Mabini will run as PDP official candidates under the Padayon Bol-anon.
Former Mayors Metodio Amper of Anda and Ernesita Digal of Sevilla were also in the partial list under the PDP.
Two incumbent Vice Mayors – Calixto Garcia of Valencia and Romeo C. Bigay of Carmen while three incumbent Vice Mayors will stake their position for Mayor – Bonifacio Virtudez, Jr., of Jagna, Rainfredo Buslon of Sierra-Bullones and Lito Dajalos of Garcia Hernandez, all official PDP candidates.
Incumbent Jagna Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla will still pursue his political career and will run as vice mayor under the PDP. However, there were reports that the group of mayoralty timber Joseph Rañola might also be moving to the PDP-Laban party affiliation.
In Loboc where Yap is a resident, Municipal Councilor Enrique Baguio and former municipal Councilor Erwin Baquial will be running for mayor and vice mayor as the PDP official candidates.
The CONAs of several candidates are still being processed by the office of Yap and is awaiting the signature of Ty.
Yap stressed that only the CONAs endorsed by him and signed by Ty will be recognized as the PDP official candidates but candidates whose certificates were signed by other political parties allied with the PDP will coalesce under the Padayon Bol-anon.
According to Yap, these parties are the NUP, Lakas-NUCD, Liberal Party, and the Laban Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP). (Chito M. Visarra)