The Negros Occidental towns and cities chairmen of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino, the party of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, were announced yesterday by KAMPI provincial chairman, Isabela Vice Mayor Melvin Ibañez.

Western Visayas KAMPI chairman, Rep. Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo Jr. (Neg. Occ., 5th district) said the new KAMPI members took their oaths before party chairman Luis Villafuerte during their national convention attended by almost 3,000 delegates at the Manila Hotel yesterday.

Named Bacolod KAMPI chairman was Councilor Al Victor Espino, who said he is running under the team of Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia of the Nationalist People's Coalition since there is an alliance between the NPC, KAMPI and the United Negros Alliance in Negros Occidental.

Espino said their group has agreed that Councilor Thaddy Sayson has the right of first refusal to run for Bacolod vice mayor under their coalition and if he decides not to go for it, he (Espino) is next in line for the post.

Otherwise, he will run for re-election as a Bacolod councilor, Espino added.

Transportation Undersecretary Ricardo Tan, former KAMPI Bacolod head, recommended the appointment of Espino since he is an incumbent elected official, Ibañez said.

Tan remains one of the pillars of KAMPI in Bacolod City, Ibañez added.

Tan yesterday did not confirm if he had decided not to run for mayor of Bacolod after President Arroyo has asked him to head the Land Transportation Office in the National Capital Region. He is expected to make an announcement today. LOCAL KAMPI

Others on the list released by Ibañez are:

KAMPI first district chairman -- Rep. Tranquilino Carmona, while heading KAMPI in Calatrava is Mayor Samuel Fabroz, Toboso - Councilor Ching Ballesteros, Don Salvador Benedicto - Lawrence Marxlen de la Cruz, San Carlos -- Board Member Elmero Layumas and Escalante - Councilor Rolando Torres.

Chairman of KAMPI in the second district is Alfredo Marañon III and chairman for Sagay City is Vice Mayor Joseph Gerard Marañon, Cadiz City - Samson Merjan, and Manapla - Manuel Escalante Jr.

KAMPI chairman in the third district is Murcia Mayor Esteban Coscolluela, while heading Victorias is Mayor Severo Palanca, Silay - Carlo Gamban, EB Magalona - Alfonso Gamboa and Talisay - Eric Saratan.

Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson (Neg. Occ., 3rd district) said it was the prerogative of the third district mayors to look for their own party since he is with the Lakas NUCD. It is, however, not an indication that some of them will not be challenged in the May polls, he said.

Chairman of KAMPI in the fourth district is Rep. Carlos Cojuangco, while heading Pontevedra is Vice Mayor Edgar Tomas, San Enrique - Jilson Tubillara and Valladolid - Vice Mayor Glory Gomez.

KAMPI fifth district chairman is Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr. and heading Himamaylan is Mayor Carminia Bascon, Binalbagan - Manuel Aranda, Hinigaran - Caroll Guanco, Isabela - Mayor Renato Malabor, Moises Padilla - Jose Garcia and La Castellana - Vice Mayor Alberto Nicor.

Sixth district chairman of KAMPI is Rep. Genaro Rafael Alvarez while heading Kabankalan is Councilor Arthur Abaja, Ilog - Alvaro Baldeces, Cauayan - Vice Mayor Romulo Moncatar, Candoni - Mayor Liberty Manzano and Hinobaan - Vice Mayor Jodibon Octaviano.

"DUAL CITIZENSHIP"

Rep. Arroyo said the KAMPI chairmen who are members of other political parties will not give up their original party affiliations. They will have "dual citizenships", he said.

Ibañez said Rep. Arroyo is offering former Negros Occidental Board Member Enrique Montilla the position of party chairman of Region 6 if he will accept it.

This is because Arroyo is assuming a national KAMPI position, Ibañez explained.

KAMPI chairman emeritus is President Arroyo, while chairperson is Imelda Cojuangco.

GLORIA CALLS FOR SUPPORT

President Arroyo, in her speech at the KAMPI national convention yesterday said "I will focus on the national agenda that includes more jobs, stable prices, and peace and order. I will leave the politicking to the candidates who we must all support, especially our senatoriable candidates."

"Meanwhile, through all the noise of the political campaign, we will work to expand education, healthcare; we will take action to develop a green Philippines agenda to improve our environment and beautify our communities. And we will do so by working with our local and provincial leaders to see that the benefits of the new economy are spread to every corner of the Philippines and not just here in Metro Manila," she added.

The President said that this economic reform would not have been possible if not for the local government officials who loyally stood by her and supported her every move.

In her speech, she also called on these local government officials anew to join her as on the path to reform, social justice and economic development.

"We have moved the nation forward on the strength of our partnership with barangay leaders, mayors, and provincial governors who form the backbone of our government," the President said.

She also said she would work hard until her term ends in 2010 to make economic prosperity, social justice and peace and security for a new modernizing Philippines a reality.

At the same time, she called on all Filipinos to throw their support to the administration ticket so that the nation's aspirations will be met.*CPG

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