MABALACAT, Pampanga – Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales announced yesterday that they will fill up the board member line-up once First District Board Member Cris Garbo makes good his plan to seek re-election as independent in 2013.
In a phone interview, Morales said the Lakas-Kampi party will field a second candidate for board member as two slots are available at the province’s first district composed of Mabalacat and Magalang.
Morales and his friend-ally, First District Rep. Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin, “favorably endorsed” the inclusion of top Councilor Cherry Manalo in the board member line-up of the party.
Garbo is a member of the Lakas-Kampi headed by Gov. Lilia “Baby” Pineda.
Garbo said he plans to run as independent in 2013 but vowed to support the re-election bid of Pineda.
He declined to give other reasons for leaving the party of Morales and Lazatin.
Morales disclosed that it’s up to Pineda whom they will include in the line-up.
“We have winnable and competent candidates for board member, one of whom is the son of Congressman Lazatin. But it’s the governor who is the boss of the party and her choice will be respected and supported ,” said Morales, referring to Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin.
Morales said he will also include Councilors Jerry Basilio and Oscar Aurelio in the choices to be submitted to Pineda.
The mayor also said Atty. Ed Lopez, who once ran for mayor in Mabalacat, will be a “good candidate for board member” alongside Manalo.
