LP-allied mayor welcomes Poe in Camarines Sur

Presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poe is welcomed by Iriga City mayor Ronald Felix Alfelor and former governor LRay Villafuerte in Camarines Sur. MAILA AGER/INQUIRER.net

IRIGA CITY, Camarines Sur–Senator Grace Poe paid a courtesy call here on Friday on Iriga City Mayor Ronald Felix Alfelor, a member of the Liberal Party (LP).

But the courtesy call was not without the consent of LP standard-bearers, presidential aspirant Mar Roxas and running mate, Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo.

READ: Poe campaigns in CamSur sans Escudero

Alfelor said it was Camarines Sur Governor Luis Miguel “Migz” Villafuerte, a member of Nacionalista Party, who asked him if Poe could pay a courtesy call on him when she arrives this Friday.

“Sabi ko, sige i-accept ko s’ya as a visitor here but I cannot fully support her kasi may standard-bearer ang LP,” Alfelor told reporters  before Poe’s visit.

(I told him I could accept her as visitor here but I cannot fully support her because LP has its standard-bearer.)

But before acceding to Villafuerte’s request, Alfelor said, he first sought the permission of Roxas and Robredo last week.

“Actually, nagpaalam din ako kahit kay Ma’am Leni na ito ang situation. Sabi nya, ‘I understand. Okay lang,’” said the mayor.

(Actually, I also sought the permission even of Ma’am Leni that this would be the situation. She said, “I understand. It’s okay.”)

Robredo is running against her fellow Bicolano, Poe’s running mate, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

Asked about Roxas’ response, Alfelor said the LP bet also gave a go signal.

“Sabi n’ya (Roxas) lang as your capacity nga as mayor (He said that, ‘in your capacity as mayor, you can receive her,’” Alfelor said.

Poe and some of her senatorial bets will campaign in this province without Escudero, who hails from Sorsogon.

It was Poe’s first sortie in the province since the official campaign kicked off last February 9.

After the courtesy call, Poe will have a meeting with local officials and then have a motorcade in the afternoon.

The main event of her visit is a rally slated at 7:00 p.m at the Capitol Complex in Naga City.