By Lilibeth G. Ison, PNA and U.S. News Agency / Asian

President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday attended the proclamation rally here of the Liberal Party (LP) candidates in the province for next year’s elections.

The LP will have Cavite Rep. and former governor Ayong Maliksi as its gubernatorial bet with Ronald Jay Lacson, son of Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson as his running mate.

The two will go up against re-electionist Governor Jonvic Remulla and vice-gubernatorial bet Jolo Revilla, son of Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.

In his speech, President Aquino said that Maliksi has been proven and trusted by the Cavitenos.

“Batid po natin subok na siya, si Manong Ayong, sa serbisyo, at hindi rin kaila na buong-buo ang tiwala at kompiyansa sa kanya ng mga Kabitenyo. Pagdating po sa paglilingkod-bayan, kapag sinabing Ayong Maliksi, hindi na kailangan ng sapilitang pagkukumbinsi,” he said.

“Mula noon, hanggang ngayon, tanging kaunlaran ng Cavite ang kanyang tinututukan. Nang maging gobernador po siya rito, dahil sa kanyang sigasig, at sa suporta ng mga Kabitenyo, hindi lamang niya napababa ang inyong poverty incidence — isa na rin po ang Cavite sa fastest growing provinces ng bansa, pagkatapos ng kanyang termino,” he added.

The President cited the various infrastructure and road projects in the province to better enhance the tourism and industry sectors in Cavite.

Such projects include the Manila-Cavite Road and Bridges, which was completed last July, that would decongest traffic in the Kawit-Noveleta Diversion Road section.

There is also an ongoing construction of the Bangkal-GMA Bridge in Dasmarinas, which is expected to finish by February 2013.

President Aquino also mentioned the ongoing road widening of the Governor’s Drive in Trese Martires, which is expected to be completed by March of next year; and the Daang Hari – SLEX Link Road that would connect Bacoor to SLEX and is expected to finish by December 2013.

He also announced the approval of the NEDA Board of the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension which would connect Baclaran and Bacoor costing some P60 billion.

“Inaasahan nating matapos ang bidding pagdating ng Abril ng 2013, at masimulan naman ang construction nito, Enero ng 2014,” he said.

Maliksi, for his part, said he was aiming to return to the Cavite Provincial Capitol under platform of various reform programs on governance, livelihood, education, health, employment, and infrastructure.

Regarded as the Father of Cavite, Maliksi said he also plans to continue many of his pro-poor programs when he was still governor of the province such as housing and social welfare.

“Frankly, many of these programs were not sustained under the present local administration and many Cavitenos are longing for their reimplementation,” he said.

Aside from continuing these beneficial programs, Maliksi said he would also enhance his platform “in accordance with the government’s advocacy on honesty, transparency and justice.”

Billed as “Ibalik and Maliksing Gobyerno,” the proclamation rally was also attended by newly appointed Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas II; Transportation and Communication Secretary Joseph Emilio “Jun” Abaya, who is a Caviteno; MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino; Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon; former Rep. Risa Hontiveros; and Quezon Rep. Lorenzo “Erin” Tanada III.

The proclamation rally was held at the Apostle Arsenio T. Ferriol Complex, Maranatha Christian Academy, Barangay Malagasang II-D, Imus, Cavite.

Candidates for congressmen running under the LP banner in Cavite include Francis “Boy” Abaya (1st District), Jessie Castillo (2nd District), Alex Advincula (3rd District), Elpidio Barzaga Jr. (4th District), Roy Loyola (5th District), Osboy Campana (6th District), and Abraham Tolentino (7th District).