ILOILO – From National Unity Party (NUP), Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. transferred to Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), the political party of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
He took his oath as new PFP member yesterday before Marcos at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang together with 13 other provincial governors.
President Marcos is the chairman of PFP.
The party transfer was a practical move, admitted Defensor who is widely expected to run for his third consecutive term in the 2025 midterm elections.
“In more practical terms, mas maayo kon miembro kita dira. Matigayon ang mga dalagku nga proyekto nga gusto naton trabahuon para sa syudad kag probinsya sang Iloilo,” said Defensor.
The governor was invited to join the President’s party by Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo of South Cotabato, president of PFP and national president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines.
“We are happy nga gin-imbitar kita, kag we are welcome sa Partido sang Presidente,” said Defensor, the sole elected public official from Western Visayas in yesterday’s oath-taking.
Another factor that made him to change party affiliation, he said, was the good treatment he and Iloilo province have been getting from the national government even after the 2022 elections.
Defensor supported a different presidential candidate – Marcos rival, then Vice President Leni Robredo.
The governor said he never felt discriminated by the Marcos administration and that the national government remained focused on helping Iloilo province.
Moving forward, Defensor said, “Ang siling naton, matapos gani ang eleksyon, tapos na ang tiempo sang politika kag umpisa na ang tiempo sang panghimanwa.”
He talked to the NUP leadership, he said, before taking his oath as PFP member.
Prior to becoming an NUP member, Defensor was affiliated with the PDP-Laban of then President Rodrigo Duterte.
Prior to the Duterte administration, he belonged to the Liberal Party of the late President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III.
Will Defensor encourage other elected public officials in Iloilo to also transfer to PFP?
He has not discussed this yet with the PFP leadership, clarified Defensor.
During the oath-taking yesterday, President Marcos urged new party members to uphold the ideology of the PFP focused on empowering local governments as decision-makers through the concept of federal governance.
“Bringing the power centers to the local governments, to legislative districts, and to those who are operating at the local level – thereby bringing those power centers to many, many, many places – it makes for a more stable political structure and makes a more stable political life,” President Marcos said.
He stressed the need to devolve power, discretion, and functions to the lowest level of governance. Bringing decision-making closer to the ground will streamline processes and prevent undue delays apparent in centralized decision-making, he explained.
“Kung kaya na nung governor, kung kaya na ng congressman, sila na mag-decide (dahil) sila naman nakakaalam,” he said.
Formed in 2018, the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas is pushing for federalism.
Aside from Defensor, others who took their oath as new members were: Rep. Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, 1st District, Ilocos Norte; Gov. Rogelio Neil P. Roque, Bukidnon; Gov. Marilou H. Cayco, Batanes; Gov. Christian M. Noveras, Aurora; Gov. Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr., Zambales; Gov. Eduardo B. Gadiano, Occidental Mindoro; Gov. Ricarte R. Padilla, Camarines Norte; Gov. Edcel Greco B. Lagman, Albay; Gov. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, Bohol; Gov. Damian G. Mercado, Southern Leyte; Gov. Imelda Q. Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte; Gov. Dorothy M. Gonzaga, Davao de Oro; Gov. Edwin I. Jubahib, Davao del Norte; Gov. Abdulraof A. Macacua, Maguindanao del Norte; Vice Gov. Katherine C. Agapay, Laguna; Secretary Lope B. Santos III, Lead Convenor, National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC); Assistant Secretary Arlan M. Mangelen, Department of Agriculture; and Girlie E. Amarillo, Officer-in-Charge, Office of the Deputy Director General-NAPC. (With a report frompco.gov.ph)/PN
