300 BICOL LEADERS TAKE OATH AS NP

The Nacionalista Party (NP) headed by Sen. Manny Villar swore in over 300 leaders in Bicol, including two incumbent vice-governors, at least 13 mayors and 12 vice-mayors in rites held today at the Pepperland Hotel in Legaspi City, strengthening the party's stronghold in the oppositionist region.

At the oathtaking were Sen. Pia Cayetano, and NP spokesmen former Reps. Gilbert Remulla and Rimpy Bondoc, and Atty. Adel Tamano. The event followed the oathtaking in March this year of 220 local officials in the region.

"Bicol has fully organized a regional machinery for Sen. Manny Villar. We are fielding candidates in practically all municipalities and cities," said Albay Rep. Al Francis Bicharra (2nd district) of NP.

"We are grateful for the overwhelming support of the Bicolanos who have consistently demonstrated their united oppositionist stance in exercising their right of suffrage," Villar said.

Formidable Congressional candidate for Sorsogon (2nd district) and Mayors League president, Mayor Juan Gusayco, also took oath as NP, along with Sorsogon Vice-Gov. Renato Laurinaria, who will run for mayor of Castilla.

San Andres, Catanduanes Mayor Leo Mendoza, Mayors League president, likewise took oath, along with seven other incumbent mayors of Catanduanes, enabling NP to get eight out of 11 sitting mayors in the said province.

Bicol, consisting of six provinces Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon, has a known political reputation for solidly backing the opposition every elections.