CRANE-Caramoan


	CAMARINES SUR KAMPI CANDIDATES - Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte (sixth from left), KAMPI national president, raises the hands of KAMPI offIcial candidates in Camarines Sur led by former Tourism Secretary and Congressman Eduardo Pilapil (fifth from left) for governor; Congressman Felix R. Alfelor, Jr. for congressman, 4th District; presidential son Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo for congressman, 1st District; Atty. Butch Ortega, for vice governor; and Tigaon Mayor Elmo Bombase for congressman, 3rd District, seventh to tenth respectively from left. Others in photo are candidates for board members (from left) Alex Quillope, Stephen Sadia (3rd Dist.) Antonio Altamarino and Charry Pante (2nd Dist.), Ruperto Alfelor, Noriel Bernales and Melvin Barayoga (4th Dist.) and Carlos Batalla (1st Dist.). Partly hidden is Mike Miranda and not in photo is Gerardo Atienza, Jr., both for the 1st District.

LRV, Andaya, Alfelor all backing Pilapil bid

Fatherly patience stretched to the limit has finally snapped and Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte proclaimed Tuesday, March 28, former Tourism secretary and Congressman Eduardo O. Pilapil as KAMPI official candidate for governor of Camarines Sur ending long speculations as to whom he would pit against his own son who had openly defied his political leadership in the province.

Admitting that it was a very difficult and painful decision, Congressman Villafuerte who is KAMPI national president, said he had done everything, even seeing his son, Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte in his home in Metro Manila but the latter would not budge from his decision to put up his own candidates against those the administration coalition had already chosen.

Congressman Villafuerte had hoped his son would atone or mend his “arrogant, recalcitrant and disrespectful” behavior and waited for many months but their conflict only worsened. Obviously just to embarrass his father as KAMPI president, Governor Villafuerte took his oath as Lakas-CMD member more than a month ago even when he already ran as Lakas in 2004.

“I cannot allow that the very people who helped me install my son as governor in 2004 should be disregarded and even betrayed”, Congressman Villafuerte emphasized. He was repeatedly lustily cheered by the big crowd of leaders from all over the province who jampacked the Golden Pavilion of the Regent Hotel here in Naga City.

He said he had willed that L-Ray should be his political heir but his son has so changed his character and behavior upon becoming governor and must necessarily be taught a lesson.

The decision of the KAMPI leadership to put up a complete provincial slate may have been also fueled by Lakas-CMD itself when its national headquarters issued nominations to Governor Villafuerte’s chosen candidates after the governor was disauthorized to sign nominations for municipal and city candidates in Camarines Sur pursuant to a unanimous decision of the Arbitration Committee of pro-administration coalition parties.

The act was considered a deceptive breach of the decision of the Arbitration Committee and is held likely to precipitate more conflicts in other provinces in the country among pro-administration parties namely, Lakas-CMD, KAMPI, Liberal Party, NPC, and PSDP.

Chosen as running mate of Pilapil was youthful lawyer Gerardo Felipe “Butch” Ortega, son of Atty. Santiago Ortega, Jr. who is owner of the University of Saint Anthony and a prominent business and political leader in the Rinconada area. Charismatic, articulate and knowledgeable, Butch Ortega is expected to unseat incumbent Vice Governor Salvio Fortuno.

Present also during the proclamation were presidential son Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo who is running for congressman in the First District. Congressman Felix “Nancing” Alfelor, Jr. who is seeking his third term in the Fourth District and Tigaon Mayor Elmo Bombase who is running for congressman in the Third District of Camarines Sur.

Bombase who will finish his third successive term as Tigaon mayor has been one of the most effective municipal executives not only in the province but in the entire Bicol Region and was elected president of the League of Municipalities in the province because of his leadership and management capability.

Should he win against incumbent Congressman Noli Fuentebella who has practically nothing to show for his performance during the last three years, Bombase who was one of the top planners of the defunct Bicol River Basin Development Program could help hasten the developmental growth of the Third District, particularly the Caramoan Peninsula towns of Caramoan, Garchitorena, Presentacion and Lagonoy.

Congressman Villafuerte also proclaimed as official KAMPI candidates for provincial board members the following: First District – Carlos Batalla, Mike Miranda and Gerardo Atienza, Jr.; Second District – Charrie Pante and Antonio “Boy” Altamarino; Third District – Stephen Sadia and Alex Quillope; and Fourth District – Noriel Bernales, Ruperto Alfelor and Melvin Barayoga.

In assessing Pilapil’s winnability, KAMPI party leaders pointed out that in 2004 Governor L-Ray Villafuerte won because the opposition was divided and had two gubernatorial bets. But the combined votes of then gubernatorial candidates Wimpy Fuentebella and Manny Alfelor were almost equal to L-Ray and Wimpy could have won had the Alfelor camp agreed to join forces.

Many opposition symphatizers in 2004 shifted support to L-Ray Villafuerte when Wimpy Fuentebella and Manny Alfelor could not patch up.

Mayors reluctant to support L-Ray still carried him in 2004 only because of his father, it was pointed out.
Pilapil won as congressman of the Third District in 1988 by beating then a political giant, the late Senator Edmundo Cea.

In his present bid, Pilapil is supported by Congressman Villafuerte, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya, Jr., and Congressman Alfelor.