Matin Petilla: I’m not power hungry
JOEY A. GABIETA
(http://leytesamardaily.com) Staff Writer
12/12/09
TACLOBAN CITY- She is no power hungry.
So says former Leyte Representative and now mayoralty bet Remedios “Matin” Petilla as she was quick to defend her family on issue on political dynasty as several of her relatives are in the running in next year’s general elections.
“If I am power hungry, I could have insisted in running in 2007. But I let go,” Petilla said in a press conference yesterday.
During the 2007 elections, Petilla was then seeking for her second term as a congresswoman representing Leyte’s first district, but was persuaded by Malacañang to give way to now Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Aside from being a former congresswoman, Petilla had also served as Leyte governor for straight nine years. She is one of two vice presidents of the state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and a member of the board of directors of Channel 13.
For the 2010 elections, Petilla is seeking the mayoralty position in Palo under the banner of the Liberal Party.
According to Petilla, she never craved for power and never did everything in her capacity just to stay in power.
“Never I did anything just to hold on to power,” she insisted.
According to her, her decision to run for mayor of Palo should not be misconstrued that she is power hungry, saying that she has held several positions, higher than being a town mayor.
Petilla said that she is running for mayor because she believes that she could offer her services to the people of Palo and help the town toward progress.
Petilla also defended her family on issue on political dynasty, saying that it even work to their advantage as she hastens to add that they were all elected by the people.
“That issue on political dynasty is not only affecting our family. It’s happening everywhere,” Petilla said.
“It is okay with me because it enables us to serve and work together as we have the same direction,” she added.
Her son, Carlos Jericho, is assured to take his third and last term as governor as he is running unopposed for second straight elections.
Petilla’s sister, Carmen Cari, who is on her third term as a congresswoman of the fifth district, is running for mayor of Baybay, the main bailiwick of the clan. Two of Cari’s sons, Jose Carlos and Michael, are also running in the 2010 elections.
Michael is the incumbent mayor of Baybay but has opted to run for vice mayor under his mother. Jose Carlos, himself a former mayor of Baybay, is also assured to take the congressional post of his mother Carmen.
A nephew, Carlo Loreto, is also on his way for his third and last term as a member of the provincial board.
Petilla said that the issue on political dynasty is a non-issue to them considering that they are offering themselves to the people during election time.
“We are all elected and not appointed. We are offering ourselves to the people. They have the options. The people elect us. I don’t think that is dynasty,” she said.
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