Are Vladi, Bong, JV Hinlo Bacolod PDP-LABAN Bets?

Local PDP-LABAN stalwarts (Left to Right) Bong Dilag, Vladimir Gonzalez, Jesus “JV” Hinlo pose with National Secretary General Joey de Venecia III yesterday after a press conference held at O’Hote.2l (Gil Severino photo)

Partido Democratiko ng Pilipino - Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-LABAN) National Secretary General Joey de Venecia III clarified yesterday that his presence is not to launch candidates but to meet their local party members and evaluate conditions “leading to a plan.”

This was his response to a question, “why are three handsome guys from Bacolod City seated beside him in a press conference” held at O’Hotel and the hall was surrounded by banners showing faces of PDP-LABAN National Chairman Vice President of the Philippines Jejomar Binay and National Party President Senator Koko Pimentel?

The NBN-ZTE deal whistle blower De Venecia III disclosed that PDB-LABAN is officially represented in all 33 cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental, no exception and the “three handsome guys” refer to businessman Vladimir Gonzalez, lawyers Lyzander “Bong” Dilag and Jesus “JV” Hinlo representing Bacolod City.

True to his earlier statement on situational and logistic evaluation, De Venecia III said that the province-wide network is “an evaluation input” and a very valid reason to be upbeat because said network was proven functional during the last May 2010 election.

In a private interview after the press conference, businessman Vladimir Gonzalez, lawyers Bong Dilag and JV Hinlo categorically denied reports that they are running for positions come 2013 election. Gonzalez’ presence is to be consistent with his personal stand against graft and corruption and likewise as vocal as De Venecia III; he was quite open about his support to De Venecia III last 2010 election when the latter ran for Senator.

He was challenged by questions however about the Mayor-Vice Mayor tandem of former Congressman Monico Puentevella and Gonzalez which is out in the open aired by some media outlets. Gonzalez clarified that options to run or not to run is a tough decision and it is not even easy to say “I am weighing my options.”

Eliciting a smile, Gonzalez said that he has not thrown “the hat of commitment” to a derby in tandem with mayoralty candidates, therefore, the Puentevella-Gonzalez tandem is sheer logical option.

Hurled a similar question to De Venecia III, “Are you fielding a Mayoralty candidate” without naming names, his reply was adamant about his purpose in visiting Bacolod as evaluative in nature. Local PDP-LABAN convenor Atty. Bong Dilag’s responses to questions as a party bet was likewise a “planning mode”; he said, “Sec Gen Joey de Venecia III is here to support us in putting the local PDP-LABAN on the right party tract - a determination to break new grounds in party building.”

Local PDP-LABAN Secretary General Jesus “JV” Hinlo reiterated Dilag’s statement, adding, “Our determination is truthfulness to what a political party must be. A local party must not be used to advance personal agenda but principles. We will be unperturbed in PDP-LABAN’s future political bid.” Hinlo referred to PDP-LABAN as a “Party of Principles,” a merging of two political parties that struggled against the Marcos dictatorship, Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino established in 1982 by Senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, Jr. together with staunch human rights fighters including those from Mindanao and Lakas ng Bayan established by Ninoy Aquino in 1978.*