Incumbent Aurora vice-governor manifested to run for governor in 2013

BALER, Aurora, July 16, 2011-Aurora Vice-Governor Gerardo “Gerry” Noveras, who is reportedly being groomed by political leaders as standard-bearer of a projected Noveras-Angara tandem has announced his intention Friday afternoon to run for governor in this province on 2013 election polls.

Noveras, the present provincial chairman of the Liberal Party and who was earlier being worked out to tandem with businessman Rommel Angara, is definitely eyeing the governorship in the 2013 polls with outgoing three-term Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo who is seeking to return to Congress when her term expires. However, Noveras did not mention his running mate.

“I am manifesting my intention to run for governor in 2013,” Noveras said, to stop speculations that he is being eyed as a running mate of one of the Tangsons in the coming polls and that he is seeking the mayorship of his hometown in Maria Aurora.

“I decided to run for governor because I believe that this is the right time for me,” Noveras said, who has one more term left as vice-governor. He believes that it is the proper time to run for governor instead in 2016 where his prospects of winning would be slimmer.

Noveras’ announcement at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Capitol to run for governor coincidentally fell on the birthday of Congressman Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara who is leaving the Congress for the intention of running in the Senate in 2013 in an effort to succeed his father, Senator Edgardo J. Angara.

It could be remembered that two months ago, word spread like wild fire that the Angaras, the province’s political kingpins, are seriously considering a Noveras-Angara tandem in the 2013 polls. Noveras and Rommel - chief of staff and cousin of Congressman Angara - squared off in the 2007 vice gubernatorial race with the former emerging victorious, spoiling an Angara-Angara team at the Capitol.

Noveras said if the Angaras offered him the position of governor, he was willing to accept it while Rommel said that the possibility of him teaming up with Noveras is not distinct as elections are still far; however, “I am not saying yes or no because  in politics, everything is possible,” Rommel explained.

“I don’t hold any grudge against Noveras and has no problem becoming his running mate. Our rivalry is nothing personal. He’s very down-to-earth and approachable. And we are very cordial with each other,” Rommel furthered, recalling that when he lost in 2007, he even conceded and congratulated Noveras.

The camp of Angaras told newsmen that they maintained cordial relationship with Noveras because the latter kept his inaugural vow not to be a stumbling block to the development agenda of Governor Bellaflor Angara-Castillo.

Angara-Castillo manifested that she holds Noveras in high esteem for supporting her administration all the way. “In fairness to him, there was never a single instance when he blocked or opposed my programs,” she said.

Noveras earlier announcement of gubernatorial bid came on the heels of the reports that Rommel’s uncle, outgoing three-term Baler Mayor Arthur Angara, president of the provincial chapter of mayors’ league of the League of the Municipalities of the Philippines is also seeking to run as governor in this province. Mayor Angara has been seen going around the province and reportedly conducting medical and dental missions.

Noveras, is the son of the Noveras patriarch, 84-year-old former vice governor Isaias Sr. and is the younger brother of ex-vice governor Isaias Jr. The Noverases are on record as the father-and-sons with the distinction of having been voted each as vice governor of the province.

The elder Noveras ran for governor in 1992 but lost.         

The incumbent vice governor said that he will pursue programs in health and agriculture and shall continue the programs initiated by Angara-Castillo. “We only differ in the style of management in running the province,” he concluded. (Jason de Asis)