ROXAS CITY, Philippines -- Sen. Mar Roxas has accused former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn "Jocjoc" Bolante of disturbing the peaceful politics in Capiz by deciding to run for governor of the province in the 2010 elections and in the process pirating members of the local chapter of the Liberal Party.

Bolante, who has been linked to the fertilizer fund scam, is a native of Dao town, and earlier declared his intention to run for governor of Capiz in 2010.

"Election in Capiz has been peaceful for the past years. But today, it's different," Roxas, the most prominent political figure in the province, said on Saturday.

The senator said he has been informed that some local leaders of the Liberal Party (LP), to which Roxas belongs, have joined the Ugyon Kita Capiz (UKC), a local political party, which the Commission on Election would soon accredit.

UKC chaired by Capiz second district Rep. Fredenil Castro, with Bolante as the vice chairman.

Roxas was one of the senators who grilled Bolante during the Senate investigation on the P728 million fertilizer fund scam, which involved the alleged misuse of DA funds to support the presidential campaign of President Macapagal Arroyo in 2004.

Vice Gov. Felipe Barredo and former Roxas City Councilor Mark Ortiz were among the LP leaders who have joined UKC.

Barredo is being groomed to run for congressman in the first district while Ortiz will run for vice governor.

Barredo and Ortiz were once trusted local leaders of Roxas.

But Roxas said his candidates would win in the elections. "Even with the presence of a thief in the political arena of the province, I'm not threatened or weakened for I know the people are behind me and Noynoy (Sen. Benigno Aquino), our next President," Roxas said.

Roxas was to become the standard bearer of LP in the 2010 presidential race until he decided to give way and agreed to be the running mate of Aquino.

The senator vowed to run after the corrupt leaders of President Arroyo’s administration should Aquino win.

Roxas expressed his anger upon learning that a politician threatened to withhold funding from several barangay (village) officials and health workers to stop them from attending a consultative multi-sectoral meeting organized by Aquino and Roxas on Oct. 10 at the Capiz Gym.

Roxas did not mention the name of the politician.

He received reports that the barangay health workers here were told they would not be given their P1,000 cash incentive, which they were supposed to receive by Oct. 12, if they attended the event.

The consultative dialogue to be attended by Aquino and some LP senatorial bets did not push through due to bad weather.

Aquino flew back to Manila Friday afternoon after their Iloilo sortie. Roxas and the four LP senatorial bets proceeded to this city for a dinner meeting with the local leaders.

"I know who are the traitors whose intention is to steal people's money. And I know who are my leaders pushing for good and clean governance," the senator added.

When asked about his basis in selecting local candidates, Roxas said, "Kukuha kami ng kandidato na hindi magnanakaw (We will choose candidates who are not thieves)."

Roxas dared Capiz leaders to come out and show their "true colors" instead of pretending to be leaders of LP.