4 Luzon vice governors defect parties to Villar’s

By George Trillo

Four vice governors from Luzon – including one from the Liberal Party – have defected to the Nacionalista Party headed by Sen. Manny Villar, boosting anew its membership and grassroots influence.

Vice Governors Odi Fausto of Cagayan, Ramil Hernandez of Laguna, Windell Chua of Ilocos Norte and Pasencia “Pasing” Bacani of Quirino took their oath before Villar at the historic Laurel House in Mandaluyong City .

Prior to his decision to join NP, Fausto was a long-time member of the Liberal Party and a former president of the Liga ng mga Barangay in Cagayan for 12 years. He will run for re-election next year.

“I believe that it is Senator Villar who possesses the best qualities called for by the hard times for the sensitive position of the presidency,” Fausto said.

Hernandez, who was from the United Opposition, is eyeing the Laguna governorship. He took his oath together with his prospective running mate, Los Baños Vice Mayor Caesar Perez, Hernandez’s wife councilor Ruth Hernandez, and celebrity Angelica Jones, an aspirant for provincial board member.

“I strongly identify with Senator Villar’s beginnings and share his advocacy of fighting the menace of poverty in the country,” said Hernandez, who also rose from poverty like Villar, working his way to college at Letran in Laguna where he finished his accountancy degree.
Chua, who belonged to the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL), was accompanied by Rep. Bongbong Marcos, who earlier graced the Partido Magdalo convention in Cavite , which backed Villar.

For his part, Bacani defected to the NP from Lakas-Kampi.

“Your show of support strengthens our resolve to address the ills of poverty plaguing our people. Alleviating this is our topmost concern,” Villar said.

He underscored the need for leadership, managerial ability, and experience for the country’s next president.

Earlier, four governors belonging to Lakas-Kampi also defected to the NP, namely Luis Raymund “LRay” Villafuerte Jr. of Camarines Sur, Rogelio Espina of Biliran, Douglas Cagas of Davao del Sur, and Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte.

At least 240 other officials and aspirants from Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Pangasinan, Quirino, Ifugao, Bataan , Nueva Ecija and Tarlac also took their oath as NP members.