Valenzuela politics a test of support for ‘Noynoy’

By WILLIE L. CATAPAT

Valenzuela City could become a test of the support for the presidential bid of Senator Noynoy Aquino, after major political figures in the city, except Noynoy’s girlfriend, Councilor Shalani Soledad, expressed their backing for Senator Manny Villar.

Soledad defied the city’s tradition of going all-out for the Nacionalista Party (NP), led by Villar, and instead threw support for her sweetheart Noynoy, believing that majority of the city officials will also support him.

Earlier, Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian and his brother, Rep. Rex Gatchalian, announced their all-out support for Villar although at the local level, Soledad is a stalwart of the local political coalition which the Gatchalian brothers have founded.

Soledad, in a recent interview, said that they respect each other’s presidential choice, expressing her belief that it will not affect the local coalition.

Gatchalian echoed the sentiments of Soledad, saying that he sees no reason for the local coalition to break up although he acknowledged that there could be some difficulties because they are supporting different presidential bets.

“I believe in the leadership and vision of Villar and I will campaign for him (Villar) in the city, ” the city mayor declared.

Old-time residents and big political clans in the city had earlier expressed their support for Villar saying that the locality is always a “Nacionalista country” for several decades.

“Even at the height of the popularity of former President Cory Aquino, residents here defied the trend and refused to elect her anointed candidate for city mayor,” they claimed.

But they said the coming election will be a test if the old political group in the city has still its clout or the demographic change and urbanization have loosened up their hold on the city’s electorate.