Biel sworn in as LDP member
Mayor Celso Lobregat Monday swears in Councilor Luis "Noning" Biel III as the newest member of the local Laban ng Demokratikong Party before Biel's family and friends, fellow councilors and some District I barangay chairmen. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
West coast Councilor Luis Biel III yesterday took his oath as member of the local Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LD) dousing speculations from some quarters that the LDP is a thing of the past.
Mayor Celso Lobregat, LDP Zamboanga Chair, administered Biel’s oath at City Hall in the presence of the councilor’s family and friends and fellow council members and barangay officials from District I.
“Councilor Biel is the first of the many, many contenders who will soon join the local LDP. More and more will be joining the LDP as deadline for filing of certificates of candidacy nears,” he said.
In a press conference following his oath taking rite, Biel declared that his affiliation with the LDP is unconditional. He said he firmly believes in the leadership of Mayor Lobregat, thus, his affiliation.
Biel’s joining the LDP is contrary to speculations that the party is breaking up and is no longer a force to reckon with the forthcoming elections.
Fellow councilors—Cesar Iturralde, Rudy Lim, Nonong Guingona, Gerky Valesco, Charlie Mariano, Eddie Saavedra, Lilia Nuño, Jofel de las Peñas, Rey Candido welcomed Biel to the LDP fold saying it would further strengthen the party.
“The councilors were one in saying that Biel’s swearing in yesterday proved that the LDP is still the party to beat in Zamboanga. “This is a welcome development” they said.
In 2007, Biel ran under the administration’s Lakas-Kampi. Since his election into office, he has remained supportive of the plans and programs of Mayor Lobregat.
District II Congressman Erbie Fabian, now a Nationalista Party member, also dropped by City Hall yesterday to greet Mayor Lobregat, Biel and the other councilors.
Meanwhile, another councilor is expected to take his oath as the newest member of the local LDP, today, according to Mayor Lobregat. (Sheila Covarrubias)