GOVERNOR ARTHUR D. Defensor of Iloilo province and his two sons, 3rd district Rep. Arthur “Toto” R. Defensor, Jr. and 3rd district Board Member Lorenz “Nonoy” R. Defensor, are leaving the Liberal Party (LP) to join the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). The governor said Friday that he has already informed Senate President Aquilino “Koko” L. Pimentel III, also currently the PDP-Laban president, of their decision. “He told me that he was glad with my decision as I can be of great help to them in espousing especially the plan to shift from a unitary form of government to a federal form. Ever since I was an assembly man, I always battled for federalism,” Mr. Defensor said in a press conference. He added that he has earlier met with defeated LP presidential bet Manuel “Mar” A. Roxas and Ilonggo Senator Franklin M. Drilon to say his goodbyes to the LP, which he has been part of since 2013. Mr. Defensor said he will be in Manila this week to discuss with House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez the details of his oath taking. Mr. Defensor admitted that the shift to PDP-Laban is also intended to strengthen the position of his congressman son who has signified interest to run for governor in the 2019 elections. “That is practical politics. That is the reality of politics,” he said. — Louine Hope U. Conserva

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