LEGAZPI CITY—Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said Sunday Senator Grace Poe had the support of Bicol’s four mainland governors and a gubernatorial candidate in Catanduanes.
“All Bicol mainland governors are now for Grace Poe,” Salceda said in a text message.
He made his statement even as Poe said that, instead of 34 days involving 16 steps to open a business in the Philippines today, she promised three days to complete the issuance of all permits and requirements to open a business once she was elected president in this year’s elections.
The Philippines ranked 95th out of 189 countries in the ease of doing business report by the World Bank in 2015.
Salceda said governors Edgar Tallado of Camarines Norte, Migz Villafuerte of Camarines Sur, and Raul Lee of Sorsogon had already expressed their support to Poe’s candidacy while Catanduanes Vice Governor Bong Teves, who is running for governor, had also signified his support for Poe.
Salceda said he was still trying to negotiate with Masbate Gov. Vince Revil to support Poe.
He said the Bicol governors will meet on Monday in Daet, Camarines Norte, to finalize their commitment of support Poe.
Salceda bolted the Liberal Party and dumped presidential aspirant Manuel Roxas II for Poe on Friday.
“I am Governor Salceda and my president is Grace Poe,” he said.
Salceda said in an e-mailed statement that he supported Poe because “she shares our values of authentic humanism, shares our goals of countryside development and national competitiveness and certainly her compassion will ensure that the impact will be shared by all.”
He said he believed that Poe would be the best leader for the country, and that she would bring prosperity to the countryside.
Meanwhile, the LP stalwarts in Albay said in a joint statement that they were not a bit troubled by Salceda’s turnaround.
Albay Rep. Fernando Gonzalez said the LP in Albay stood solidly behind Roxas, adding the party machinery in Albay would ensure that the administration candidates would win in the May 9 elections.
Gonzalez said the LP members in Albay signed a joint statement on Saturday expressing their full support for Roxas. with Macon Ramos-Araneta
