Lammawin withdraws from vice gubernatorial poll race

TABUK CITY - Mayor Camillo T. Lammawin Jr. has formally announced his withdrawal from the vice gubernatorial race. .

His decision of sacrificing his political career, he said, was to pave way for a peaceful electoral process in the province.

“I am taking this big step and challenge of sacrificing my political career for the sake of peace, unity and cultural values that is slowly vanishing in the province,” he said during the holiday break.

With relatives running for positions in the province for the May 2010 polls, he said he’s opting to give his support to them. “Political exercises should unite the people instead of creating divisiveness especially among families.”

Relating how past politicians have maintained good relationship and cultural values of brotherhood even as political rivals, he said he will carry on this tradition by “making the first step to pave the way for future generations of public servants.”

“Do not be dismayed with this decision,” he told his supporters, adding this is not the end of his political career and he will continue serving the people in his own way to someday gain their trust and support when he will vie for “his actual political goal.”

“Leadership does not only mean winning in elections but also call for sacrifices,” he said adding “a leader is someone who looks and understands the situation.”

“It would take an extra-ordinary mind and bigger heart to understand the situation but I believe that in the future we will be able to see its impact,” he told his supporters.

Responding on the possibility that he might be “lost in the political limelight” once he quit the race, he said he is confident, considering that he was able to “lay-out the foundations of his political career” through his accomplishments as three term mayor of Tabuk. – Gigi Dumallig