CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – “We can’t turn our back on the Aquinos.”
With these words, Vice Gov. Joseller “Yeng” Guiao, a stalwart of the administration Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi) joined the ranks of prominent “cabalens” of Pres. Arroyo who vowed yesterday support for the presidential bid of Sen Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino Jr.
“We owe whoever and whatever we are to them (Aquinos). I recognize that and I will continue the loyalty that my dad demonstrated to them,” Guiao told Punto in a telephone interview.
He stressed that “we will look like ingrates if we do not support the candidacy of Noynoy.”
Earlier, Pampanga’s 1st district Rep. Carmelo Lazatin and Gov. Eddie Panlilio already made public their decision to back Aquino for president in their areas.
Guiao, who already announced his intent to run for governor of this province in next year’s polls, used to plural first person “we” to refer to him and his father, the late former Pampanga governor Bren Z. Guiao who was appointed officer-in-charge of the provincial government here by former Pres. Corazon Aquino as soon as she came to power in 1986.
The elder Guiao, a former journalist, was a close friend of Mrs. Aquino’s late husband, the late senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino who was shot dead at the Manila airport upon his arrival from the United States in 1983 during the Marcos regime. For a time, he also shared a common jail with Ninoy.
The vice governor noted that his family’s loyalty to the Aquino’s is “just one factor”.
“The other factor is that we in Pampanga have always considered the Aquinos as Kapampangans, so they have the interest of Pampanga in their hearts and the presidency of Noynoy is to the interest of Kapampangans,” he said.
Guiao stressed that apart from loyalty and the Aquinos being Kapampangans, he is also convinced of Aquino’s attributes that qualifies him to be the country’s president. “For one thing, he comes from a good family. He had good education and his record remains unblemished,” he said.
Asked whether he would change his mind if Pres. Arroyo herself asks him to support whoever the administration’s presidential candidate will be, he replied “I will just cross the bridge when I get there.”
He declined to comment on whether his decision to support Aquino could lead to his jump to the Liberal Party.
Guiao’s gubernatorial bid is being challenged by Sen. Lito Lapid against whom he had filed a plunder case relative to allegations that the senator and his son Mark, were involved in anomalies in lahar quarry operations in this province during their terms as governor.
“The gubernatorial elections next year should revolve around the issue of corruption, loyalty and performance,” Guiao said. He questioned the elder Lapid’s loyalty to Pampanga, as he noted that the senator ran for mayor of Makati City but lost in the last elections.
He also said that Lapid’s performance was poor during his three terms as governor.
Lapid could not be reached for comment yesterday.
With these words, Vice Gov. Joseller “Yeng” Guiao, a stalwart of the administration Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi) joined the ranks of prominent “cabalens” of Pres. Arroyo who vowed yesterday support for the presidential bid of Sen Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino Jr.
“We owe whoever and whatever we are to them (Aquinos). I recognize that and I will continue the loyalty that my dad demonstrated to them,” Guiao told Punto in a telephone interview.
He stressed that “we will look like ingrates if we do not support the candidacy of Noynoy.”
Earlier, Pampanga’s 1st district Rep. Carmelo Lazatin and Gov. Eddie Panlilio already made public their decision to back Aquino for president in their areas.
Guiao, who already announced his intent to run for governor of this province in next year’s polls, used to plural first person “we” to refer to him and his father, the late former Pampanga governor Bren Z. Guiao who was appointed officer-in-charge of the provincial government here by former Pres. Corazon Aquino as soon as she came to power in 1986.
The elder Guiao, a former journalist, was a close friend of Mrs. Aquino’s late husband, the late senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino who was shot dead at the Manila airport upon his arrival from the United States in 1983 during the Marcos regime. For a time, he also shared a common jail with Ninoy.
The vice governor noted that his family’s loyalty to the Aquino’s is “just one factor”.
“The other factor is that we in Pampanga have always considered the Aquinos as Kapampangans, so they have the interest of Pampanga in their hearts and the presidency of Noynoy is to the interest of Kapampangans,” he said.
Guiao stressed that apart from loyalty and the Aquinos being Kapampangans, he is also convinced of Aquino’s attributes that qualifies him to be the country’s president. “For one thing, he comes from a good family. He had good education and his record remains unblemished,” he said.
Asked whether he would change his mind if Pres. Arroyo herself asks him to support whoever the administration’s presidential candidate will be, he replied “I will just cross the bridge when I get there.”
He declined to comment on whether his decision to support Aquino could lead to his jump to the Liberal Party.
Guiao’s gubernatorial bid is being challenged by Sen. Lito Lapid against whom he had filed a plunder case relative to allegations that the senator and his son Mark, were involved in anomalies in lahar quarry operations in this province during their terms as governor.
“The gubernatorial elections next year should revolve around the issue of corruption, loyalty and performance,” Guiao said. He questioned the elder Lapid’s loyalty to Pampanga, as he noted that the senator ran for mayor of Makati City but lost in the last elections.
He also said that Lapid’s performance was poor during his three terms as governor.
Lapid could not be reached for comment yesterday.
