One Cebu-Alayon coalition is still up for discussion

WHETHER the Alayon Party will support the gubernatorial bid of Rep. Pablo John Garcia (Cebu, 3rd district) for next year’s election is not yet certain. What is certain is that the party of Rep. Eduardo Gullas (Cebu, 1st district) and Pablo John’s One Cebu Party have been talking about forming a coalition.

During the inauguration of the Enan Chiong Activity Center in Naga City yesterday, Gullas, in a speech, introduced Garcia as the “next governor of the Province of Cebu.”

Pablo John said he hoped Gullas was making an endorsement. But he said it would be more meaningful if the two parties made the partnership official.

Clarification

He said his sister, Gov. Gwen Garcia, has been discussing the matter with Gullas, who is reportedly amenable to the plan.

But in an interview with reporters, Gullas denied endorsing Pablo John. He clarified that Alayon is still in talks with other groups like One Cebu on who it will support next year.

Gullas said Alayon has yet to finalize its decision to choose between the Liberal Party and the United Nationalist Alliance, which included Governor Gwen in its senatorial slate for 2013. But Gullas said he can’t make a decision until he consults the Nacionalista Party, his mother party.

Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong, for his part, said he will back Pablo John’s gubernatorial bid.

He said he and his family have supported the Garcias since 2004, when Gwen first ran for governor. In fact, he said, Naga was the only town in the district to go against Gullas, who then supported another candidate.

Chiong said Gullas respected their decision.

Distribution

The Capitol also distributed P2.3 million as financial assistance to barangays in Naga City during the inauguration.

Recipients were Barangays Balirong (P100,000), Cantao-an (P200,000), Colon (P200,000), Jaguimit (P200,000), Lanas (P100,000), Naalad (P100,000), North Poblacion (P200,000), Patag (P100,000), South Poblacion (P100,000), Tagjaguimit (P100,000) and West Poblacion (P100,000).

The money will be used to renovate, rehabilitate or repair barangay halls and to build playgrounds and day care centers.

The Naga City Government also received P378,000 to build a senior citizens building and P280,000 to fund socio-cultural activities.

The activity center is named after former mayor Enan Chiong, the current mayor’s older brother.