TACLOBAN CITY, Aug. 10-- More local government officials in Leyte province will likely abandon the Liberal Party (LP) to join the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), Leyte Governor Dominico Petilla said on Thursday.
Petilla said that it’s possible that their allies in the provincial board and local chief executives from 40 towns in Leyte will also jump ship to the party of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The governor and his brother, former Energy secretary Jericho, joined the mass oath-taking last August 2 of new PDP-Laban members officiated by Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, also the ruling party’s president.
The two brothers were stalwarts of the Liberal Party of former president Benigno Aquino III in Leyte province. In October 2012, Aquino appointed then-governor Jericho as Department of Energy chief. Last year, Jericho ran for senator under the LP ticket, but lost.
Dominico said they abandoned the Liberal Party to show to the President that they are supportive of all programs and projects of the central government.
“This is for the good of our people here so that our national government will not hesitate to pour funds for various programs in our province,” the governor said.
“If I’m not with the administration party, there is a gap between the local government and the national government. This is to let them know that we are here to help them succeed in the implementation of programs in the province.”
He said there’s a huge possibility that other local officials in the province will also join the ruling party, including their mother, Palo town Mayor Remedios Petilla.
Their cousin, Leyte Vice Governor Carlo Loreto is also open to shifting party affiliations. He said that if there are invitations for him to join PDP-Laban, he will likely accept it.
“Why not? The bottom line is party affiliation in politics does not really play a big role in the performance or duty of a politician or government official. However, party affiliation plays a big role in fulfilling our promises to the people,” Loreto explained.
Having aligned with the top officials of the country makes it easier for the local government official to seek financial support for programs and projects. (PNA)
