BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR
LEYTE Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla has backed
out as a senatorial candidate and actor Cesar Montano will
replace him, Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, who is Team
Unity spokesman, said yesterday.
Durano said Petilla will seek reelection
after his mother Rep. Remedios Petilla (1st district) decided
against running for governor due to health reasons.
Durano said Montano is from the Visayas and a
credible replacement for Petilla. Montano, a member of the Lakas-Christian
Muslim Democrats, is from Bohol.
Durano said Montano’s status as an actor was
just a plus and not a major consideration in the decision to tap
him. "The main consideration is that he can take up the role of
Governor Petilla," he said.
Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal said all
Petilla has to do is file an affidavit of withdrawal.
Montano was expected to file his certificate
of candidacy as a substitute candidate last night.
Earlier reports said Petilla’s replacement
would be actor Richard Gomez of the Nationalist People’s
Coalition.
Durano said Gomez was considered, but Montano
got the nod because he was "highly recommended by Lakas and Team
Unity."
President Arroyo said Durano’s role as
campaign spokesman would not stand in the way of his Cabinet
duties.
Arroyo, in an interview after a roundtable
discussion on overseas Filipino workers’ remittances, said
Cabinet members are allowed to participate in campaigns.
Team Unity senatorial bet Rep. Prospero
Pichay Jr. (Lakas, Surigao del Sur) challenged the candidates of
the Genuine Opposition to a debate on their platform of
government.
"(The opposition) is not capable of debating
with the administration on issues because it has nothing to
offer. As I’ve said, the opposition is nothing but an empty
can," he said.
Pichay said Team Unity’s platform is "clear
and program-driven" while the opposition’s "focuses on
destabilization as shown by the inclusion in the opposition
ticket of active destabilizers and coup plotters like Navy Lt. (s.g.)
Antonio Trillanes."
"Even if he (Trillanes) had legitimate grievances, he could
have aired them through the proper channel and not resort to
unconstitutional means," he said. – With Wendell Vigilia
