MALUNGON, Sarangani: Top political leaders of incumbent Rep. Erwin Chiongbian have resigned from the dominant Sarangani Reform and Reconciliation Organization (SARRO) party to support the upcoming bid for Congress of world boxing icon Manny ?PacMan? Pacquiao here, a reliable source bared Friday.
Mayor Reynaldo ?Bong? Constan?tino of Malungon town, Pacquiao?s political adviser and official spokesman for political affairs, said former Reform and Reconciliation organization leaders submitted their resignation from the party to connect with Pacquiao-led People?s Champ Movement (PMC) following the opening salvo of PCM political assembly held at the Malungon town gymnasium in Sarangani.
Among Reform and Reconciliation organization officials that resigned were incumbent Vice Mayor Ben Guilley of Malungon and Councilors Benjamin Santos, Arman Gulli and Mariano Escalada.
Vice Gov. Steve Chiongbian-Solon, the incumbent congressman?s nephew, told reporters Reform and Reconciliation organization respects the decision of their former party mates, ?with hopes that they will continuously serve the good and interest of the general public.?
Also those who attended the PCM meeting were former undefeated (SARRO) Mayors Narcisso Grafilo, Alfonso Sincoy and incumbent Board Member Danny Martinez representing Kiamba town.
Sincoy and Grafilo, husbands of Malapatan and Alabel incumbent Mayors Aida Sincoy and Corazon Grafilo, also signified their support for Pacquiao in the forthcoming 2010 synchronized elections.
?We saw all what Manny did and has given to uplift the plight of our meager constituents. And we consider those as a God-given sign of a good leader for the Sarangans,? Grafilo, in an exclusive interview, told The Manila Times.
The gathering of some 400 barangay leaders, local government officials and tribal leaders led by Constantino was intended for the official signing of membership to the PCM camp.
PCM district organizer and town Councilor Erwin Asgapo said this was the first meeting that shows a united opposition against the incumbent ?Chiongbians? in town.
?We saw political leaders from the Sanguniang Kabataan to the barangay captains representing the 31 barangays of Malungon signing their affiliation with the PacMan,? Asgapo said.
The Commission on Elections said Malungon town is the largest not only in area, but also likewise in terms of the number of electorates among the seven municipalities that comprises the province of Sarangani.
Malungon, with its population predominantly from B?laan and Taga-Kaulo tribes is a landlocked town in the northwestern part of Sarangani with an estimated 54, 000 voting public.
Constantino said Pacquiao would immediately return home after his May 2 scheduled boxing bout against Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas to concentrate on his political sorties.
