PHILIPINE politics really has a way of making even classmates and bosom buddies become strange bedfellows and for Vice Mayor Carlos Patricio Bernad, it may take a while before he gets used to shaking hands with his friend and former ally, Gov. Loreto Leo Ocampos.
Ocampos, who was formerly a staunch Arroyo supporter and the titular head of the provincial council of Lakas Kampi, recently bolted out of the administration party and joined Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino’s Liberal Party in his quest for the congressional post in next year’s polls.
Sworn in with Ocampos is mayoralty candidate and Ozamiz councilor Maria Constancia Lim.
“Ocampos may have gained the backing of Senator Aquino but not mine,” said Bernad, who is LP’s current provincial chair.
The vice mayor added that he was “surprised and disappointed” of Ocampos’ membership in LP, adding he was not consulted by it and was only informed last Wednesday that the governor has taken his oath as the province’s standard bearer for congressman in the second district.
Ocampos’ decision in defecting Lakas was said to be borne out of his displeasure on the selection process of the ruling party which rejected his demands that all “favored candidates” in his faction “must be included” in the 2010 elections under the ruling party.
Ocampos, in his earlier disclosure to the media, said that he pushed for Lim to be the mayoralty standard bearer for Lakas in accordance with party principles and guidelines but it was not granted. He also recommended several names as candidates for the two districts but again it was not approved.
It was also learned that the governor’s decision to bolt out of Lakas came four days after Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and his daughter, Nova Princess Echavez, received their respective certificates of nomination as Lakas’ official candidate for congressman and mayor.
“Nalipay na lang sad ko nga gipahibalo ko nila. Sa ato pa, wala na pangayoa ang akong recommendations ug diretso na lang gidawat didto,” Bernad told this paper, saying further that had he been given time to evaluate Ocampos’ request for affiliation with LP, he will give his negative views and a two thumbs down to the governor.
Saying likewise that it did not go into normal procedures, Bernad surmised that Ocampos was readily accepted because “he is the incumbent governor” and “the president of the governors’ league.”
To recall, Bernad has said that Ocampos “has a loyalty problem” with Lakas Kampi and he doesn’t want that the same will happen to the LP.
Although he said he will not question Ocampos’ entry to LP, Bernad asserts he has already committed his full support to both Parojinog and Echavez.
REPORT BY NEPTALIE BATOLENIO & MICHAEL MEDINA