Barbers allies jump ship to Partido Padajon Surigao

Four stalwarts from Abante Surigao recently deserted the clobbered political party of defeated governor Ace Barbers and switched allegiance to the powerhouse Partido Padajon Surigao (PPS) founded by Cong. Francisco Matugas, undisputed political kingpin of Surigao del Norte.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, namely, Board Member Nilo Adonza, Board Member Ebro Joy Orquina (Provincial ABC President), Board Member Jake Abañez (Provincial SK President) and Burgos ABC President Danilo Flores opted to switch party and took their oath of allegiance as new PPS members before Cong. Francisco Matugas in a simple ceremony held at the Philippine Gateway Hotel, Surigao City, on July 19, 2010.

When asked by journalists who witnessed the event, Aldonza said his intention in joining the party was to unify himself with the party and as an able supporter of the programs of the current administration.

“Ang atong tuyo is makahatag og kaayohan sa atong katawhan. This is for the sake of unity and development of the province of Surigao del Norte,” Adonza stressed.

He explained to reporters that when he started in the political arena, he was once with the Matugas group, and was then a barangay council member in Barangay Luna, Surigao City, more than a decade ago.

“In those times, the Matugas-Sering coalition belonged to the administration which was reason why I was with them. Now that they are in the administration again, there is no reason why I would not allow myself to rejoin with the current administration,” Aldonza explained.

On the other hand, Congressman Francisco Matugas said he welcomed the new members of their political party.

He appreciated their entrance into the PPS as a healthy sign that democracy was really working.

The lawmaker made an example of himself by disclosing that he and three other congressmen from Caraga Region would also be shifting political allegiance, in the national level, to President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino’s Liberal Party in support to the new administration. This, after they accepted LP's invitation to join their ranks in the 15th Philippine Congress.

“We want to help the Aquino administration’s economic development and reform agenda which would also benefit the Surigaonons. After all, our action is for the good of our people in the entire province,” Matugas said.

Political pundits believed that more members will defect from the Barbers camp and eventually join the powerhouse Partido Padajon Surigao in the coming days. (Roel Catoto/The Agusan-Surigao Enquirer)

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