There is progress, not just strength, in unity

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – Yesterday’s mass oath taking of around 4,500 local government officials of this province to the ruling PDP Laban party, held at Vista Mall in this City can be seen from different angles.

This writer sees this political move as more of developmental in nature. Ever since Gov. Albert Garcia took the helm in 2013, he had always pushed the “unity for progress” concept, that for Bataan to be Number 1, its people should first be united, hence the 1Bataan slogan.

During the 2016 presidential elections, Gov. Abet S. Garcia was one of the two governors (the other being Imee Marcos of Ilocos Norte), who openly supported then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s bid for the highest position in the land, yet it is common knowledge that Garcia is the national president of the National Unity Party (NUP), and he is still holding that position as we speak.

This only shows the tremendous influence that the hardworking governor enjoys not only among his constituents but more so among the local government officials. Though undeniably good-looking and an eligible bachelor, this influence did not happen overnight, and could not even be attributed to looks and name recall alone. It is the result of hard work, that dates back to his stint as mayor of Balanga City, as Congressman of the 2^nd district of Bataan and nowadays as a second termer governor.

Those who took the oath yesterday simply wanted what’s best for their respective LGUs and to achieve that, they should be united, under one party. They all likewise support the programs and advocacies of President Duterte, hence they have chosen the PDP-Laban party.