IN mayors back Keon gubernatorial bid Support came after BBM called mayors to 2 meetings AS THE local election campaign heats up, nearly all of the municipal mayors in Ilocos Norte have expressed their support to the gubernatorial candidacy of Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Michael M. Keon after his principal backer, outgoing Ilocos Norte Governor Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., called two separate meetings with the province’s municipal mayors. Marcos first met with the first district mayors on April 9 and second district mayors on April 10 at the Malacañang of the North in Paoay, Ilocos Norte in an effort to firm up their group and to finalize their plans and strategies to ensure their coalition’s electoral victory in the May 14 midterm elections. Marcos, who is running unopposed for the congressional seat in the province’s second district, reported after the meeting that the municipal mayors, including re-electionist Rep. Roque R. Ablan Jr. (1st district, Ilocos Norte) who also attended the April 9 meeting, that their group has remained solid and the twin meetings served as a political caucus to finalize campaign details for the coming elections. As an expression of support, the municipal mayors signed a “Manifesto for Progress,” which among others expressed their full support to the leadership of Marcos, who served as governor for three straight terms and their subsequent support for Keon and the re-election bid of Ablan. With Marcos’ endorsement of Keon, who is the governor’s cousin and who is running against former Ilocos Norte Governor Rodolfo C. Fariñas, the municipal mayors expressed their unanimous support by signing the manifesto which said: “Maawatanmi nga ti mangituloy iti programa ti panagdur-as ken kappia nga kalikagumtay amin ket ni apo Michael Marcos-Keon. Ngarud, babaen daytoy a kasuratan, aramidenmi amin nga kabaelan mi nga mapabutosan ken sangsangkamaysa nga bagkaten tapno ipangabak daytoy kabsat ken gayyem ti pagilian—Michael Marcos-Keon as kas gobernador.” Signing the said manifesto were Bacarra Mayor Philip C. Velasco, Pasuquin Mayor Oscar D. Aguinaldo, Burgos Mayor Benjamin Y. Campañano Jr., Adams Mayor Wilma Dupagen-Daquioag, Vintar Mayor Jose Foronda, Dumalneg Mayor Francis Espiritu, Badoc Mayor Thomas N. Torralba, Banna Mayor Carlito N. Abadilla II, Batac Mayor Jesus R. Nalupta, Currimao Mayor Rosario C. Go, Dingras Mayor Robert P. Castro, Marcos Mayor Salvador S. Pillos, Nueva Era Mayor Caroline Arzadon-Garvida, Pinili Mayor Anunciacion D. Pagdilao, Solsona Mayor Joseph E. De Lara, and Paoay Mayor Bonifacio C. Clemente Jr. Sarrat Mayor Corazon R. Abad, Carasi Mayor Joy Fernandez, Bangui Mayor Wilfred A. Gaces, Pagudpud Mayor Marlon Sales and San Nicolas Mayor Alfredo P. Valdez Jr., who was in Manila at the time of the meeting, were unable to attend. According to Marcos, those who were not present during the two meetings may be having second thoughts about whom they will support in the coming elections. In view of this, he said he would personally talk to them on a “case-to-case basis.” However lawyer Ferdinand “Chito” Dumlao, who is the group’s campaign manager for the first district, said the mayors of Carasi, Bangui and Pagudpud had prior scheduled commitments hence they were unable to attend the meeting called by Marcos. In a related development, Pinili Mayor Anunciacion D. Pagdilao admitted honestly that although she would give her all-out support to Keon’s candidacy, she could not ensure his victory in her town as she stressed that she respects the choices of her constituents. She added that democracy still prevails, particularly in Pinili, Ilocos Norte. She later admitted that Keon’s gubernatorial rival, Fariñas, is having quite a “strong showing” in her town. The said mayors however vowed that they would do their best to convince their respective constituents to support their group’s line-up. Leilanie G. Adriano
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