LP leaders: Mar Roxas to win in Albay even without Salceda

Liberal Party leaders in Albay downplayed the effect of Governor Joey Salceda's decision to transfer his loyalty from administration standard bearer Mar Roxas to independent presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe.

Albay First District Representative Grex Lagman hit Salceda's supposed turncoatism, saying it was not the first time that the governor changed his allegiance as the elections drew near.

Even without Salceda's support, Lagman said tandem of Roxas and Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo would win the presidential and vice presidential elections in Albay.

"Salceda has not unexpectedly gone beyond the pale with his most recent act of political turncoatism. He did a 180 degree turnaround in 2010 when he junked partymate Gibo Teodoro for PNoy (President Benigno Aquino III)," Lagman said in a statement.

Salceda was a Lakas-CMD stalwart and one of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's top advisers before the 2010 elections.

"I was telling partymates at LP as early as October last year that he will also junk Mar Roxas  eventually. Once his transactional politics has been consummated,  Salceda's true colors will come to the fore," Lagman said.

Lagman said the LP leadership in Albay would do better without Salceda on board.?

"A turncoat recidivist will always be a liability anyway. Good riddance to Salceda," Lagman said.

"Daang Matuwid's victory in Albay for Mar-Leni will now be assured with Salceda's exit. The LP's success at the polls will also be made sweeter now that its leadership in the province has been strengthened by loyal, committed and courageous stewards.," he added.

Albay Third District Representative Nando Gonzales said Salceda was "alone in his decision."

"The Liberal Party of the 3rd District of Albay  stands solidly behind Mar. Roxas will win overwhelmingly in Albay," Gonzales said in a statement.

Salceda on Friday announced his decision to support Poe.

"I am Governor Salceda and my President is Grace Poe. She shares our values of authentic humanism, shares our goals of countryside development and national competitiveness and certainly her compassion will ensure that the impacts will be shared by all," Salceda said in a Facebook post.

"For the good of Albay, for the good of all Albayanos, and for the future of my country, it is my duty to join ang Gobyernong may Puso," he added.

There were almost 695,000 registered voters in Albay in 2010. — NB, GMA News