“At present, all these talk about the President running for Congress and Mikey seeking the governorship are at the level of speculation,” Guiao told Punto.
Because of this, Guiao said his “mindset remains fixed on the governorship” and that he has so far not considered any other option in case Mikey runs for the same post.
Guiao is with the Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi) party while Mikey is with the Lakas CMD.
“There is no move so far to merge pro-administration parties into one Kampi-Lakas-CMD which was already formed at the national level,” Guiao noted.
While Guiao expressed confidence that local pro-administration political party could readily duplicate the national level merger of their parties, Guiao lamented lack of effort by their national leaders to effect this.
Even before Mikey declared he might run for governor instead of seeking a third term in Pampanga’s second district. Circulating reports name Guiao as among gubernatorial hopefuls in the 2010 polls, along with San Fernando City Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, one of the veteran members of the Lakas CMD and Sen. Lito Lapid who is with Kampi.
Just recently, Gov. Eddie Panlilio said he might seek reelection, although he has not junked two other options including seeking the presidency or going back to priesthood.
In the event of a local merger of Kampi and Lakas CMD, Guiao stressed the primacy of the principle of the equity of the incumbent in choosing the official candidates in Pampanga. He said this means all members of the merged pro-administration party should give way to the reelection bid of officials already in their posts.
He noted, however, that such a principle can’t apply in the gubernatorial post since Panlilio has no political party and is even perceived as critical of the Arroyo administration.
Guiao admitted, however, that the political blueprint that seems to have taken shape for the local elections in Pampanga next year would be overhauled by Mikey’s decision to run for governor.
He declined to comment on what political scenario could arise in such a case, as he reiterated that reports that the President would run for congress in the district of her son has so far been mostly speculation.
Guiao said, however, that while some sectors have labeled Mrs. Arroyo, who has only one year in her term, as a lameduck president, her influence is likely to continue to be felt at least in her province for the coming elections.
Meanwhile, reports that the President will indeed run for congresswoman in the second district has floated names of who could be pitted against her.
Panlilio earlier said he would help multi-sectoral groups in his province pick an alternative candidate against Mrs. Arroyo.
Among the names now being mentioned is that of journalist Randy David who hails from Guagua within the second district. David, a known critic of the administration, is the elder brother of Pampanga Bishop Pablo David who is also outspoken against the Arroyo government.
