Two allies of Rep. Alfredo Albelardo “Albee” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3 rd District), chairman of the Liberal Party in Negros Occidental, took their oaths as members of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino before former president Joseph Estrada at his home in San Juan City Thursday.

The two are Negros Occidental Board Member Patrick Lacson and Silay Vice Mayor Mark Golez, who renounced their membership with the former ruling Lakas CMD party.

They said they had informed Benitez that they were joining the PMP and he had no problem with it.

Estrada's PMP and Vice President Jejomar Binay's Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan have formed the United Nationalist Alliance in preparation for the fielding of the senatorial slate of their coalition in next year's polls.

The UNA coalition is expected to also include candidates from the Nacionalista Party of Senator Manny Villar, the Nationalist People's Coalition of business tycoon Danding Cojuangco and possibly former Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri and Rep. Mitos Magsaysay.

Lacson said he joined the PMP because he is close to San Juan City Rep. JV Ejercito, the son of Estrada, and believes that it will be to the benefit of his constituents in the third district.

He does not have anything negative to say against his previous party, Lakas CMD, Lacson said.

“It's just that I feel PMP suits my character and ideals so well and that my close ties with its leaders in the recent years since I joined public service only gave me much confidence and trust towards PMP,” he said.

As far as his local party is concerned he remains a bonafide member of the United Negros Alliance headed by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., Lacson added.

Golez said he joined the PMP because he believes he can help the people of Silay more by being a part of it.

The vice mayor also said he is very close to Rep. JV Ejercito who was his classmate at De La Salle University, and who had been asking him to join the PMP for a long time.

Golez said he consulted Benitez, Silay Mayor Jose Montelibano and his family about his joining the PMP and they were okay about it.

There is talk that Montelibano may also join the PMP but he could not be reached for comment as of press time.

Murcia Mayor Andrew Montelibano, who is also of the third district, in recent months has been seen to be the ally of Vice President Jejomar Binay in the province.

Benitez is also known to be a friend of Ejercito.

However, whether the oathtaking of Lacson and Golez with the PMP is an indication of the direction Benitez may take in 2013 is not known. The congressman could not be reached for comment as of press time.*CPG

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