ILOILO – Nearly two months after transferring to the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) — the political party of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. — Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. revealed that several mayors in this province have shown interest, too, in joining the party.
Defensor specifically confirmed the interest of mayors from the 3rd District, his acknowledged political bailiwick.
The district is made up of the towns of Mina (headed by Mayor Lydia Grabato), Pototan (Mayor Rafael Enrique Lazaro), Lambunao (Mayor Reynor Gonzales), Calinog (Mayor Francisco Calvo), Bingawan (Mayor Mark Palabrica), Badiangan (Mayor Suzette Mamon), Cabatuan (Mayor Elizadle Pueyo), Janiuay (Mayor Paul Parian), and Maasin (Mayor Francis Amboy).
On Aug. 24, 2023 Defensor formally took his oath as new PFP member before Marcos at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang, alongside 13 other provincial governors.
President Marcos is the chairman of PFP.
Defensor used to be a member of the National Unity Party, and before that, of the Liberal Party.
When asked if Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas has been invited to join the PFP, Defensor said they haven’t discussed it.
Defensor said his switching parties was a practical move.
“We can accomplish significant projects for the city and province of Iloilo,” he stressed.
The governor was invited to the President’s political party by Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo of South Cotabato, the president of PFP and national president of the League of Provinces of the Philippines.
Another reason for the party switch, he said, was the good treatment both he and Iloilo province have received from the national government even after the 2022 elections.
Despite supporting a different presidential candidate — Marcos’ rival, then Vice President Leni Robredo — Defensor said he never felt discriminated against by the Marcos administration. The national government continued to support Iloilo province.
Moving forward, Defensor said, “Once the elections are over, the political season ends and the time for governance begins.”/PN
