Press Release
October 26, 2009

Villar's NP beefs up force

The Nacionalista Party (NP) headed by Sen. Manny Villar is set to welcome into its fold more of the country's influential elected officials, following the exodus of four governors and over 1,000 other key incumbent officials to NP in the past two weeks.

"The formal oathtaking of more of our leaders is expected to take place soon, solidifying their earlier commitment to support our advocacies for the country," Villar bared.

The governors who recently joined the Villar-led party were Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund "LRay" Villafuerte Jr., who is the national chairman of the League of Provinces of the Philippines; Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Ace Barbers; Davao del Sur Gov. Douglas "Dodo" Cagas; and Biliran Gov. Rogelio "Roger" Espina as the latest oathtaker.

With their spheres of influence cutting across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the four governors' entry to NP represents its strategic building up and strengthening of grassroots support nationwide.

Villafuerte, whose province delivers over a million votes, emphasized, "The Nacionalista Party is the strongest and most organized, having a united front under Villar's leadership." Credited for making Camarines Sur as the undisputed most favored tourist destination in the country, Villafuerte identifies with Villar's executive expertise and accomplishments.

Governor LRay joined Villar in Tacloban City where the NP president swore in Biliran Governor Espina, who was Lakas' provincial chair for nine years, and Vice-Gov. Lucila Curso, along with four mayors, six vice-mayors, and 136 incumbents in Biliran. Over 100 incumbents from Samar and Leyte also took oath as NP.

Espina, an orthopedic surgeon by profession who is on his third term and eyeing a Congressional seat in the 2010 elections, threw his support to the NP leader, citing the latter's proven leadership ability. "We need a firm and capable leader like Villar who can steer the country towards combating poverty, the way he managed to arise from it," Espina stressed.

Strengthening NP's influence in Mindanao was the defection of Governors Barbers and Cagas from Lakas earlier, who both gave Villar an overwhelming welcome, attended by thousands of their constituents in their respective oathtaking rites in Surigao City and Digos City. "We expect more to take their oath from Mindanao in the coming days," said Villar.

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