Ifugao Governor Denis Habawel Proclaims Support For Jejomar Binay's Presidential Run

Ifugao governor Denis Habawel was present when the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) political party held a press conference at the Baguio Country Club on Tuesday (February 2). Also present at the event were UNA secretary general JV Bautista, UNA Ifugao provincial coordinator Cicero Lumauig, and Ryan Mangusan of the Baguio City mayor's office.

In said press conference, governor Habawel formally announced that he is supporting the presidential bid of Jejomar Binay. His reasons in supporting Binay? Here are a couple of quotes from the conference:

Habawel: "It was not difficult for me to make the decision to help Vice President Binay capture Malacañang because he is one of our own. He will be the first President, God willing, who will come from the ranks of the indigenous People’s (IP’s) group." [Source: Sun Star]

Habawel: "Additionally, this is also our way of expressing our deepest gratitude to the Binay family as his grandmother served for a long time as public school teacher in a far-flung Barangay Magulon in Mayoyao town." [Source: Sun Star]

And here's a couple of news alerts from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA):
News alert 1: "Ifugao Gov. Denis Habawel formally declared his support to the Presidential bid of Vice President Jejomar Binay during a press conference. Habawel who is a member of the Nacionalista Party, said that the standard bearer of ‪#‎UNA‬ is the most qualified to respond to various local concerns including problems on poverty, hunger, education and health care for the ordinary citizens."

News alert 2: "Ifugao Gov Habawel said it was not difficult for him to make the decision to support VP Binay as he is an IP who has a heart to listen to the concerns of ordinary citizens.Habawel said this is also a way of thanking the Binay's as his grandmother served for a long time as public school teacher in the far-flung barangay of Magulon in Mayoyao, Ifugao."

Image source: Governor Habawel's Facebook page.

In the same conference, Cicero Lumauig, the UNA provincial coordinator for Ifugao, mentioned that six incumbent mayors and two incumbent vice-mayors in the province are with Habawel in supporting Binay's presidential bid. They are: Ronnie Lumayna of Mayoyao, Gaspar Chilagan (vice-mayor) of Aguinaldo, Martin Habawel Jr. (vice-mayor) of Lagawe, Gerry Luglug of Hingyon, Gerry Dalipog of Banaue, Marcelino Catalino of Tinoc, Mariano Buyagawan Jr. of Lamut, and Hilario Bumangabang of Hungduan.

Habawel is running for re-election in the upcoming May elections under the Nacionalista Party. He will be up against six other candidates: Samson Atluna, Eugene Balitang, Jonathan Cuyahon, Manuel Dangayo, Narciso Dunuan, and Pedro Mayam-o.