Angara backs out of gob race;clarifies

BALER, Aurora – Sen. Edgardo Angara has clarified that he did not back out of the gubernatorial race in this province because he was afraid of losing.

“If I went on with my gubernatorial bid, I would surely win. But to rule as a good governor, I have to stay in Aurora and will be tied up here and would be unable to fulfill my international commitments,” Angara told a media briefing.

Angara was reacting to speculation in social media networks that he was afraid of losing the elections to Vice Gov. Gerardo Noveras.

Members of Aurora Family Community, a vocal critic of the Angaras, said the senator is making his international commitments as a “convenient excuse” to back out of the race.

At least 60 percent of the voting population in the province are Ilocanos and consider Noveras as their favorite son.       

Angara said he could be an absentee governor if he wins the election because he would busy as vice president for Asia and the Pacific of the Centrist Democratic International.

The senator also cited his role in the Angara Center for Law and Economics, an international advisory board composed of international economists and political scientists.

“Not to count on my national commitments and my local commitments, it would really tie me down and I think it is unfair for the people of Aurora... I think that is not the style I pursued in my public life. If I have a responsibility I assume, I would do it singularly unobstructed by any undertaking except to do it in my work,” he said.

He said he is confident that Baler Mayor Arthur Angara, who substituted for him, will win the election.

“He (Arthur) is the head of the Mayor’s League in Aurora who has been, I think, an outstanding mayor of Baler. He is an achiever,” Angara said.