NAGA CITY - The political forum here on Saturday the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voters (PPCRV) sponsored has turned into a staging point of a perennial candidate to quit from the congressional race and endorse a rival bet against his bid and another bet in a three-corner fight in Camarines Sur’s third district.

        Procio Pilapil, Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP)-Laban bet and a candidate in the past election years in the third district of Camarines Sur, has to be told by the moderator of the political forum to stop delivering his five-minute final statements after he told the crowd he was withdrawing his candidacy in favor of Elmo Bombase, Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi) standard bearer. The other bet is Congressman Arnulfo Tria Fuentebella of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

        “Since Procio Pilapil has already expressed his withdrawal from the race, he is now requested to sit down,” the moderator of the PPCRV said as he cut short Pilapil’s speech when the LDP-Laban bet started talking about the credentials of Bombase.

        Still insistent to finish his five-minute time, Pilapil continued his speech until the microphone and the projector camera were turned off. The crowd reacted with murmurs, groans and hoots as the quitter made his way to his seat.

        But the earlier hours of the three-hour political forum of congressional bets in the first and second districts of Camarines Sur were more festive with old guards mobilizing hundreds of supporters to cheer them.

        Longtime political kingpins of Camarines Sur, Congressman Luis Robredo Villafuerte and Congressman Fuentebella, were receiving the loudest applause with supporters waving placards upon emphasis of their achievements.

        “If the sound of your applause meant victory, I think I have already won the elections,” Villafuerte said as his supporters applauded him more.

        Both incumbents in their first reelection bid as congressman, Villafuerte and Fuentebella made use of their time to present their achievements in Congress and their priority projects in the next Congress.

        Sulpicio S. Roco Jr., younger brother of late Sen. Raul Roco of Aksyon Demokratiko, Villafuerte’s opponent, harped on the evils of politicians who buy votes and corrupt voters, while Bombase presented his achievements as the three-term mayor of Tigaon town and his plans once he beats Fuentebella in this elections.

        The political forum was aimed at popularizing the legislative agenda of congressional candidates in Camarines Sur.