CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – “It will be a tight race for Pampanga governor but Lapid will lose in the end due to the quarry scam.”
Thus said prominent trader Rene Romero of this city when asked to comment about the 2010 gubernatorial race in the province. He added that four may seek the post, including former three-term governor and Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid.
“It is not only the political enemies of Lapid that will spell doom for him but the voters themselves. They will not forget the alleged missing funds from quarrying during the senator’s time as governor,” said Romero.
“The campaign of Lapid will weaken in the final stretch due to the scam,” added Romero.
Gov. Eddie Panlilio earlier asked Lapid to explain to the Kapampangans the “missing” P568 million quarry funds during his and his son Mark’s administration. Panlilio defeated then first-term Governor Mark in the 2007 elections.
Deng Pangilinan, former political researcher and media affairs consultant of the Lapids, said “despite the quarry issue thrown against Lapid he finished his three terms as governor, winning overwhelmingly in each election.” He added that “people know the quarry issue is just simple political harassment and old recyled issue.”
“The case is already in court let us just wait for the decision. Only the court can say if Lapid is guilty or not. Since 1998 Lapid was accused of wrongdoings that have yet to be proven. It’s easy to accuse but hard to prove,” said Pangilinan, a veteran broadcast journalist. He disclosed that Lapid was exonorated in the quarry case filed against him in 2002.
Romero said he will support the candidacy of Vice Gov. Joseller “Yeng” Guiao who expressed his intention to run for governor. He added that he will rally businessmen to support Guiao in the 2010 race for governor.
“It’s with Yeng that the province will have real direction towards progress,” said Romero.
Lapid, Guiao, Panlilio and former Senior Board Member Lilia Pineda are expected to slug it out in the gubernatorial race next year.
Romero said he was told by Guiao that he will run for governor regardless of the outcome of the recount of votes at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila.
Pineda and Guiao ran in tandem in 2007. Pineda immediately filed an electoral protest after losing by a slim margin to Panlilio.
Romero said “it will be difficult for Pineda to win because of her family’s alleged involvement in jueteng.”
He said Panlilio will have no chance to win due to his poor performance as governor.
Thus said prominent trader Rene Romero of this city when asked to comment about the 2010 gubernatorial race in the province. He added that four may seek the post, including former three-term governor and Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid.
“It is not only the political enemies of Lapid that will spell doom for him but the voters themselves. They will not forget the alleged missing funds from quarrying during the senator’s time as governor,” said Romero.
“The campaign of Lapid will weaken in the final stretch due to the scam,” added Romero.
Gov. Eddie Panlilio earlier asked Lapid to explain to the Kapampangans the “missing” P568 million quarry funds during his and his son Mark’s administration. Panlilio defeated then first-term Governor Mark in the 2007 elections.
Deng Pangilinan, former political researcher and media affairs consultant of the Lapids, said “despite the quarry issue thrown against Lapid he finished his three terms as governor, winning overwhelmingly in each election.” He added that “people know the quarry issue is just simple political harassment and old recyled issue.”
“The case is already in court let us just wait for the decision. Only the court can say if Lapid is guilty or not. Since 1998 Lapid was accused of wrongdoings that have yet to be proven. It’s easy to accuse but hard to prove,” said Pangilinan, a veteran broadcast journalist. He disclosed that Lapid was exonorated in the quarry case filed against him in 2002.
Romero said he will support the candidacy of Vice Gov. Joseller “Yeng” Guiao who expressed his intention to run for governor. He added that he will rally businessmen to support Guiao in the 2010 race for governor.
“It’s with Yeng that the province will have real direction towards progress,” said Romero.
Lapid, Guiao, Panlilio and former Senior Board Member Lilia Pineda are expected to slug it out in the gubernatorial race next year.
Romero said he was told by Guiao that he will run for governor regardless of the outcome of the recount of votes at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila.
Pineda and Guiao ran in tandem in 2007. Pineda immediately filed an electoral protest after losing by a slim margin to Panlilio.
Romero said “it will be difficult for Pineda to win because of her family’s alleged involvement in jueteng.”
He said Panlilio will have no chance to win due to his poor performance as governor.
