BALER, Aurora, August 7, 2012-A
Malacanang official has been attempting to convince Vice Gov. Gerardo Noveras -
who is running for governor - to give way to the gubernatorial bid of Sen. Edgardo
Angara.
A highly
reliable source, who sought anonymity, said former Cagayan Rep. Manuel Mamba,
now the chief of the Presidential Legislative Liason Office under the Office of
the President, is trying to persuade Noveras to abandon his Capitol run and
instead give way to Angara in 2013.
The source said
Mamba first tried to convince Noveras to instead seek a third and last term as
vice governor “in deference to” Angara right after President Aquino’s visit in
the province last February 19 as guest of honor and speaker on the occasion of its
33rd foundation anniversary and the 124th birth
anniversary of Dona Aurora Aragon Quezon.
At the sidelines
of the anniversary rites, Mamba and Noveras were seen talking to each other.
The two both belong to the administration party with Noveras holding the post
of provincial party chairman.
Mamba and Noveras
have both declined to comment on the supposed negotiations.
President Aquino
and the Angaras – this province’s political kingpins - are from different parties.
The clan belongs to the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino. But they became close due
to the impeachment trial that led to the eventual ouster Chief Justice Renato
Corona.
Senator Angara
and Congressman Angara played key roles in the impeachment, with the former
acting as one of the senator-judges and the latter as one of the spokesperson
of the House prosecution panel.
Mr. Aquino even
announced that the younger Angara is running
for senator under the LP ticket.
According to the
source, Mamba told Noveras to give way to Angara since the latter is just
eyeing one term as governor to continue the programs he initiated in the
province in partnership with the other Angaras – Gov. Bellaflor
Angara-Castillo, Rep. Juan Edgardo and Baler Mayor Arthur – who are all on
their third and last terms.
“Nakakahiya
naman na Senador e lalabanan mo sa pagka-gobernador (It’s embarrassing he’s a
Senator and you will run against him for governor),” the source quoted Mamba as
telling Noveras.
The source said
Mamba even offered Noveras a position as Regional Trial Court judge if he
wants. Noveras reportedly told Mamba he would give the matter a “serious
thought.”
The elder Angara,
a veteran lawmaker and one of the senior statesman in the Senate, earlier
denied he is eyeing the Capitol but reports said he reconsidered after Mayor
Angara, who earlier expressed intention to seek the governorship, would lose
when pitted against Noveras.
Noveras
announced his intention to run for governor in July last year, two months after
reports came out that the Angaras were planning to field him as their
standard-bearer in tandem with Rommel Angara , the
senator’s nephew Rommel, whom he defeated in the 2007 polls.
When Noveras
learned of the plan, he looked excited, saying he would gladly accept it when
offered. But negotiations fell through after the Angaras’ political leaders
reportedly rejected the “Dream Team” tandem.
The
senator’s Capitol bid has been the subject of much speculation, particularly
due to his “increasing visibility” in the province. Since last year, he has
been going around the province, meeting ward leaders of the Angaras,
particularly local chief executives.
A Capitol
official said the senator can run for governor even without physically
campaigning around the province.
“He is very
well-known, he has extensive connections and he has the solid support of
leaders who can do the campaigning for him while he is attending to the
campaign of Congressman Angara,” the official said. (Manny Galvez)
2 comments:
Corrupt Angaras, they hate by many in his own province
Ang corrupt ay ang mga utak ninyo. Gusto sila ng mga tao kaya nananalo ang mga Angara.
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