LINGAYEN— While newly elected congressmen have decided to switch political parties and joined the bandwagon to the Partido Demokratiko ng Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), Second District Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, who ran under the LP and who won his third term unopposed opted to remain with the Liberal Party (LP).

“I’m always looking at the welfare of my constituents in the district. Whatever benefits that may be extended to my district will always be a priority,” he said even as he expressed his lament that “in this kind of political system, multi-party system, it seems that loyalty to the party where you belong is lost.”

He said it has been easy for an elected official to jump from one party to another. “But for someone like me who came from the military and police, that is quite a heavy feeling turning my back from the people whom I have worked with for quite a time,” he remarked.

But Bataoil said he understands his colleagues (in the House of Representatives) and is not taking it against anyone who jumps from one party to another “because what’s also paramount in their mind and in their heart is the welfare of their people.”

He also pointed out that if someday he sees his turf being disadvantaged for not aligning with the President’s party and his constituents begin ask him what’s happening to their district, Bataoil said, “Why not listen to the people?”

“It is not us who should have the final say, it is the people,” he added.

Bataoil campaigned vigorously for Roxas-Robredo in the elections but his constituents voted for other candidates.

“Why should I hold on my belief when the people say, “This is what we want, congressman”,” Bataoil said.

“Listen to the people. That is my position,” he said. (Tita Roces)

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