GO pits town mayor vs Arroyo son

The Genuine Opposition (GO) on Friday announced that it will field a "homegrown" third-term Camarines Sur mayor against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's son Diosdado "Dato" for the congressional race in the province's first district. Mayor Sabas Mabulo of San Fernando town in Camarines Sur will challenge Dato, who has reportedly registered his place of residence in the province. "My decision to run came after consultations with a range of resource persons, so I strongly believe that my candidacy [is the right thing to pursue]," said Mabulos in Filipino during a press briefing at the GO headquarters in Mandaluyong City. GO spokesman Adel Tamano expressed optimism that Mabulo will win the congressional race since Dato is allegedly not a true son of Camarines Sur. He claimed that Dato merely took up his residency in the the province so he could meet the one-year residency requirement. "In this election, people should see that the candidate can lead," he said. Television reports said Mabulo will allow his brother, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class '95, to replace him at the mayoralty post. Other products of the PMA Class '95 are seeking elective posts this year, including Army Capt. Dante Langkit and Navy Lieutenant Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV. Langkit was implicated in the Feb. 24, 2006 failed coup, while Trillanes was among the leaders of the short-lived Oakwood mutiny in July 27, 2003. Both remain under military custody. Trillanes is seeking a senatorial seat under the GO slate, while Langkit has expressed his desire to run for congressman in the lone district of Kalinga. Meanwhile, radio station dzBB reported that GO fielded in the Aklan congressional race Mabeth Garcia, whom the coalition said was once a key campaign organizer of President Arroyo. - GMANews.TV