MORE NEWS, NUEVA ECIJA

109 leaders bolt N. Ecija party; join Lakas-CMD
By Liam Anacleto

GAPAN CITY — One-hundred-nine political leaders, including this city’s vice mayor, six councilors and 103 village officials, 13 of them barangay chairmen, have bolted the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane) and joined the Lakas-CMD in a move that rocked the city’s political groups.

Lakas-CMD provincial chairman Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio M. Umali, whom the officials took their oath of affiliation, described the mass transfer as a healthy sign that Novo Ecijanos really want a change in the political setup that is blamed for the lethargic situation of the province.

The leaders of the mass change of political affiliation formerly belonged to Balane, the province’s major political party chaired by former vice governor Mariano "Boyet" Joson.

It was learned that Gapan Mayor Ernesto Natividad, an original Lakas-CMD member, may yet join the party hoppers in early August. Thirteen of the 23 barangay chairmen here changed their party affiliation.

The city council here is now composed of five Lakas members and five Balane members with the presiding chairman, Vice Mayor Christian Tinio now a Lakas-CMD stalwart.

The reason for the political exodus is the alleged "lack of concern of the original party leaders for the welfare of their constituents that contributed to erosion of their bailiwicks."

The highest leader of the group is Vice Mayor Tinio. The five councilors now with Lakas-CMD are Eliser Padiernos, Amang Alvarez, Diomy Matias, Joe Mendoza, and Orlan Oanes.

The affiliation ceremony which was held in the compound of the house of Vice Mayor Tinio on Maharlika Highway in Barangay Bayanihan here was witnessed by Board Members Teresita Patiag, Zaldy Matias, and Edmond R. Abesamis and Lakas-CMD party secretary Gay GP Padiernos and former vice governor Oscar Tinio.

Barangay San Nicolas Chairman Rodel Matias, vice president of the Gapan’s League of Barangay Chairmen, voiced his group’s sentiment that they chose to join Umali who was described as "yung nagmamahal sa mga bayan, yung nagmamahal sa mga mamamayan."