he oathtakers were led by former Gov. Armando Sanchez, 18 incumbent and aspiring mayors, 18 sitting and aspiring vice-mayors, and 140 incumbent and aspiring councilors who were mostly from Kampi.

“We welcome our fearless Batangueños to the Nacionalista Party, which is undeniably now the most stable, organized, and committed to the advocacy of fighting poverty suffered by most of our people,” Villar said.

Villar’s leadership is likewise exemplified in the way NP currently maintains its stability and strong organization, strategically widening its membership base.

The mayors underscored that they represented the genuine grassroots support of Batangueños, backing the leadership of Villar based on his sterling track record and achievements unmatched by other presidentiables.

The defection in Batangas came a day after the oppositionist Kilusang Bagong Lipunan led by Ilocos Norte (2nd district) Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. coalesced with NP, strengthening the party base in Northern Luzon.

Accompanying Villar in Batangas were Marcos, Rep. Justin “Timmy” Chipeco, former Rep. Gilbert Remulla, and Atty. Adel Tamano.

Sanchez was a two-term mayor of Sto. Tomas, Batangas, and one-term Batangas governor, when he also served as treasurer of the League of Provinces of the Philippines. An engineer by profession, he is married to Sto. Tomas Mayor Edna Sanchez, with whom he has three children. Among his projects during his term was the beautification of Batangas Capitol grounds. The governor facilitated the relocation of national government agencies and squatters who occupied a portion of the grounds.

Sanchez survived an assassination attempt on June 1, 2006 when he was able to get out of his Hummer H2 that exploded while he was boarding it. His driver and bodyguard was killed during the explosion.

Batangas, with a voting population of 1.2 million, is subdivided into 31 municipalities and three cities. The oath-taking turnout showed remarkably significant support for Villar’s NP among the opposition parties.

“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. (30)

(News Release: NACIONALISTA PARTY)