INQUIRER.net Eleksyon 2007

Governors pledge 12-0 win for administration bets

Inquirer

Tarra Quismundo Cynthia Balana Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.

MANILA, Philippines -- An organization grouping the country’s provincial governors vowed Thursday to deliver a 12 to 0 victory for the administration’s TEAM Unity in the May senatorial elections.

Members of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) unanimously adopted a resolution pledging their unequivocal support for TEAM Unity at a meeting last Wednesday, said Sulu Gov. Benjamin Loong, a member of the LPP national executive board.

The LPP is chaired by Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, a candidate of TEAM Unity.

“We need a Senate that will pursue a legislative agenda fully supportive of President Arroyo’s 8 by ’08 program,” the resolution read.

Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, who heads both the LPP and the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, said the resolution explicitly states that “Congress will play a key role in ensuring the success of this pro-poor, pro-modernization and pro-growth agenda.”

“Our position is 12 to 0 because we believe that if the Senate does not support the program of the administration, then nothing will happen to the country... If the Senate is not whole, no development will reach our provinces,” said Loong.

He said that a victory for the TEAM Unity candidates would make possible the crafting of a legislative plan to help fulfill the President’s “8 by ’08” agenda, a checklist of programs focusing on job creation, a strong peso, lower living costs, pro-poor education, healthcare and housing, investments, hunger mitigation, a strong anti-terror drive and a green Philippines.

Loong said the administration team can count on the league’s support that they would not need to spend anything for their provincial campaign.

“They don’t have to spend anymore. They don’t need to pay the airfare, they don’t need to go to the provinces because we will be the ones to explain their platform to the people,” Loong said.

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