LP to choose best bet for Iloilo governor in 2013

ILOILO CITY — Despite the pronouncement made by Ilonggo Senator Franklin Drilon, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. believed the Liberal Party will pick the best bet for the gubernatorial race for the 2013 elections.

The best bet will be based on the Aquino administration’s “matuwid na daan” battlecry, said Defensor in response to Drilon’s recent endorsement of former Governor Niel Tupas, Sr. as his choice for the governorship in next year’s elections.

Tupas was a three-term governor and ran but lost for the congressional race of the province’s fourth district in the 2010 polls against re-electionist Rep. Ferjenil Biron.

Defensor, however, said he was not surprised with Drilon’s endorsement of Tupas since “they belong to same party and Tupas is not only an ally but a long time friend of Drilon.”

He clarified though that he is not yet a member of the Liberal Party but he was invited to be part of the party only last April.

When asked on who will be LP’s most likely candidate for governor in the 2013 polls, Defensor said: “One thing I am sure is that in so far as the nomination of the LP is concerned on the governorship, this matter will be decided by the LP on the basis of what is best for the people and province of Iloilo... It will also be decided based on whether the LP would want to pursue the reforms and changes in the province of Iloilo under my leadership and pursuant to Pres. Aquino’s ‘matuwid na daan’ battle cry.”

Defensor admitted that he has been in constant talks in Manila with the LP’s top hierarchy, whose identities he withheld, but he refused to reveal the details of their discussions.

The governor added that he respected Drilon’s decision to choose Tupas. “On the other hand, I believe Sen. Drilon has not lost his ideals in the field of public service and governance. He is for a transparent government, a government that is accountable to the people. He is for a government that is graft free... and he knows the kind of leadership that we now have here in the province of Iloilo,” he said.

“I am confident that at the end of the day the sense of political idealism of the LP especially of Pres. Aquino and Sen. Drilon will prevail in so far as the leadership of the province of Iloilo is concerned in relation to the 2013 elections,” he added.