Liberal Party kicks out Capiz allies backing Bolante

MANILA, Philippines – Liberal Party (LP) president Sen. Manuel Roxas II yesterday said a number of their allies in his home province of Capiz have been “kicked out” from the party after they were found to be working with former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante, the alleged architect of the P728-million fertilizer fund scam.

Roxas particularly cited Roxas City Mayor Vicente Bermejo, who he said was a long-time political ally but who could not severe ties with Bolante because he was one of the alleged beneficiaries of the controversial fertilizer funds.

Roxas said this forced Bermejo and other local leaders, who were LP members supporting Bolante, to form their own political party.

Bermejo and his allies are now aligning themselves with the Nacionalista Party of Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. and his running mate, Sen. Loren Legarda.

Roxas said contrary to claims of his rivals that they would win over his party mates because the local leaders are allied with Bolante, the opposite might happen.

“Bolante’s rating based on our surveys is only 18 percent. I always tell my provincemates that it will be a shame for us to have Bolante as governor when the whole nation is condemning him for the fertilizer fund mess,” Roxas said.

Capiz mayors who belong to Ugyon Kita Capiz (Unite Capiz) also support the entire ticket of the NP, based on reports.

Bolante is running for Capiz governor under the Ugyon banner against re-electionist Gov. Victor Tanco Sr., who is running under LP.