By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff

SENATOR Luis P. Crisostimo says he never publicly supported then-Republican Gov. Juan N. Babauta’s re-election bid in 2005, adding that he is still hoping that the Democratic Party will reconsider its decision not to re-nominate him.
“I never went out publicly to support (governor Babauta). A newspaper sensationalized it. I was (faithful) to the Democratic Party. I was with them in the past six elections. I was with them campaigning,” Crisostimo said. “This party will grow and become a forceful one”
He added that it is unfortunate that the Democratic Party “misinterpreted” his presence at one of the GOP rallies in 2005.
“I was elected as a Democrat and that gives me a lifetime membership. I hope that the party will change its mind,” the senator said. “They should look at the fine print in their bylaws.”
Citing the senator’s “disloyalty,” the Democratic Party announced that its former chairman, Gregorio Babauta, will be its official candidate for Crisostimo’s Senate seat.
The senator said the party should consider holding a primary for him and other interested Democrats.
“I want the party to be fair. A primary should be called,” said Crisostimo, who is chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications.
He said he would run as an independent if the Democratic Party refuses to hold a primary.
But party officials said Crisostimo is no longer one of them as far as they are concerned.
Crisostimo won his seat in the 2003 elections. Two years later, he expressed a willingness to run for governor.
He urged his party’s leaders to hold a primary, but they went ahead and nominated former Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio.