MANILA, September 28, 2012-Over a hundred local officials from Region 8 yesterday took their oath as members of the Nacionalista Party, the country's oldest political party.
Nacionalista Party President Senator Manny B. Villar led the oath-taking rites at the Leyte Park Hotel convention center in Tacloban City, Leyte.
In his speech, Villar said that the Nacionalista Party will continue to be a dominant party in the country with 5 senators, 30 congressmen, 10 governors and more than 200 mayors. The exodus of local elected officials to Villar's NP continues a week before the filing of certificates of candidacy for those running in next year's mid-term polls.
Among those in attendance were Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, wife councilor Cristina Romualdez and Eastern Samar Vice-Gov. Christopher Sheen Gonzales. Romualdez and Gonzales were among the early recruits of NP.
Incumbent Guiuan, Eastern Samar Mayor Analiz Kwan who is eyeing a seat at the House of Representatives and Samar Vice Gov. James Tan were among those sworn in by Villar as new Nacionalistas.
Villar however stressed that the party is not bent on recruiting new members from other political parties while strengthening its grip on the country's political arena. "We have a rule to follow. We don't just recruit. Our political mantra that is 'bayan muna bago ang sarili' should be strictly adhered by our members".
Villar will end his term next year and fielded his wife, former Congw. Cynthia Villar to join the senatorial bandwagon together w/ NP's other bets Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Antonio Trillanes.
Villar also stressed that the possible face-off of the LP/NP/NPC coalition's local candidates will be addressed by the coalition's arbitrary committee. "Pero kung hindi na talaga mapipigilan ang banggaan ng coalition candidates sa local level, we will declare the area as free zones. May the best man wins na lang".
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