Aquino makes last-ditch pitch for LP bets in Camarines Sur

PRESIDENT Aquino . INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

NAGA CITY, Camarines Sur—President Benigno Aquino arrived in Camarines Sur Friday as part of a last-ditch effort to campaign for the Liberal Party’s provincial and district candidates in the province who are up against formidable and well-entrenched political clans.

A government official involved in the President’s itinerary, who did not want to be quoted because of lack of authority to speak on the matter, said Aquino was scheduled to endorse the LP’s candidate for the province’s fourth congressional district, actor Aga Muhlach, in Tinambac town at noon Friday.

Tinambac town, which has a population of more than 60,000 and is located 85 kilometers northeast of Naga City, is dominated by Nationalist People’s Coalition  candidate Felix William Fuentebella, scion of the Fuentebella clan and Muhlach’s opponent for the congressional race.

The President arrived in Naga City at 9 a.m. and inaugurated the newly renovated Naga City Hospital. The national government funded the renovation to the tune of P15 million while the local government of Naga provided P10 million.

After gracing the hospital’s inauguration, Aquino was to proceed to Tinambac via helicopter to meet with local leaders and the community at the Don Servillano Platoon Memorial High School.

Aftger 1 p.m.,  Aquino was expected fly to Calabanga in the third district where Leni Robredo, the widow of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, is running for the congressional seat against Nelly Villafuerte, wife of outgoing Representative Luis Villafuerte.

Luis is running for governor against his grandson Miguel and LP bet Joel Cadiz.

In Calabanga, the President will meet with local leaders and the community at Calabanga People’s Center.

The President was to proceed from there to Libmanan, the biggest town in the second district where the LP’s Sabas Mabulo is running against incumbent Governor LRay Villafuerte and reelectionist Representative Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo, son of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Aquino’s visit to Naga City is his second during the current campaign period. He was here on March 27 to endorse Muhlach, Robredo and LP’s other local candidates.