Bataan governor for 17 years Ding Roman stands for Leni. Photo by Ernie Esconde
BALANGA CITY — Former Bataan Gov. Leonardo “Ding” Roman on Wednesday confirmed that he has switched political support from the team of Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso to the group of Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo.
Roman who served the province as governor for 17 years said: “Kakaiba ang halalan na gaganapin ngayon at nakikita ko ang sintemyento ng nakakarami at ang personal na paniniwala ko ay si Leni at si Kiko ang makakapagbigay talaga ng pagbabago sa bansa natin.”
Kiko is Francisco Pangilinan, the vice-presidential teammate of Robredo.
Ding and former Bataan congressman and chair of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Felicito “Tong” Payumo are two high former officials in the province supportive of Robredo.
Partido Balikatan and 1Bataan team led by Gov. Albert Garcia and brothers 2nd District Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia III and Balanga City Mayor Francis Garcia, and sister Dinalupihan Mayor Maria Angela Garcia have expressed full support to the Uniteam of former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and teammate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.
Reelectionist congresswoman Geraldine Roman of the first district is also supportive of Marcos and Duterte.
Ding said he threw his support at first to Domagoso but he has observed and felt the sentiment of his province mates. “Kailangan kong tumalima sa kagustuhan ng tao ng Bataan at ito ang aking personal na disisyon sa darating na halalan.”
The former governor said many sectors, including priests, friends from the Bataan Medical Association, lawyers who were with him for many years wanted change in the country.
“Matagal na akong nagpahinga sa pulitika subalit hindi ko matiis na hindi lumahok at makatulong sa bayan natin at sa tunay na pagbabago at ang paniniwala ko na si Leni at si Kiko at mga kasamahan nito ang makapagbibigay ng totoong pagbabago sa atin,” Ding said.
He said that Leni as VP has proven herself, helping many and maximizing the resources under her office.
“Nakita ko ang genuine at sincerity ni Leni na makatulong lalong-lalo na doon sa maliliit nating kababayan at sa tingin ko ang best predictor of what she will do if she will be elected president ay ang kanyang past performance,” Ding said.
“Ito lang ang batayan natin kasi kung ano ang nagawa niya noong nakaraan ay iyon din malamang ang gagawin niya at ito ay baliktad na baliktad sa katunggali niya ngayon na wala akong nakita na maging potential na maging magaling na lider para sa ating bansa lalo na ngayon na talagang dumaan tayo sa pandemya, na problema ay ang kabuhayan ng ating kababayan,” the former governor said.
He stressed that he has no political plans. “Ang pulitika ay kanya-kanyang kompromiso, kompromiso sa kaibigan, kompromiso sa partido eh sa ngayon ang kompromiso ko ay sa bayan na pinagkatiwalaan ako ng 17 taon.”
“Ito ay isang malaking karangalan na ibinigay sa akin ng aking mga kababayan at siguro ito’y maliit na sukli ko para sa nakikita kong matuwid at malinaw na kinabukasan ng ating bansa,” the former governor concluded.
