ILOILO – On the first day of the filing of certificates of candidacy yesterday, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. made a surprise move: beetle off the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and join Iloilo City mayor Jerry Treñas in the National Unity Party (NUP).
“We want to align with Iloilo City,” said Defensor, pointing out that his transfer was in support to Uswag Ilonggo, a regional party that Treñas founded.
Defensor, PDP-Laban’s provincial head since 2019, sent his formal goo-byes to the party’s secretary general.
“Siling ko I will pursue a different direction,” said Defensor, who will serve as regional chairman of Uswag Ilonggo.
Defensor said Uswag Ilonggo also has presence in the provinces of Antique, Guimaras, Aklan, and Capiz.
LOCAL PDP-LABAN
Defensor is letting local PDP-Laban members such as those in the municipal level to decide whether to join NUP or stay with the administration party.
In case local candidates decide to join NUP, Defensor said, he will issue a Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA).
The governor also made it clear that despite his change of party affiliation, Vice Gov. Christine Garin of the Nacionalista Party will still be his running mate in the May 2022 elections.
The alliance earlier formed by the governor and the congressmen in the province will hold, he added.
Defensor also confirmed his younger brother, 3rd District’s Cong. Lorenz Defensor, also left PDP-Laban for NUP.
On the other hand, Defensor remains mum on his bet for president.
“That is a developing situation,” he said.
As for when he would file his certificate of candidacy (COC), the reelectionist Defensor said he usually files a day before the deadline.
This year, the COC filing deadline is Oct. 8, Defensor’s birthday.
‘MOREPROGRES ILOILO’
Meanwhile, Defensor launched yesterday the Movement for Resurgent, Progressive, Globally Competitive and Resilient Iloilo (MOREPROGRES ILOILO).
According to Defensor, this is direction of the provincial government next year. It is also in line with his inaugural speech in 2019 when he promised to focus on social justice agenda.
Under this agenda, Defensor wants to provide people with “livable, progressive and globally competitive Iloilo” and also wants local government units (LGU) to be committed to providing equitable distribution of resources and opportunities through good governance.
“Gin-simplify naton ang vision and mission sang province. We want to capture it in a short sentence,” said Defensor.
The MOREPROGRES ILOILO has these objectives:
* increase investment and employment opportunities
* ensure food security
* make health and social services accessible
* protect and sustainably manage the province’s resources
* provide effective, efficient and transparent administrative service/PN
