Teddy O. picks Liberal for ’13

CEBU Provincial Board Member Thadeo “Teddy” Ouano will join the Liberal Party (LP).

Lawyer Hilario Davide III, who will run for Cebu governor under LP next year, made the announcement during the birthday party of Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes last Friday night.

When sought for reaction, Ouano said he decided to join LP because of the urging of his father, former Mandaue City mayor Alfredo “Pedong” Ouano, and daughter Councilor Emmarie “Lollipop” Ouano-Dizon, who joined LP last March.

“To keep the unity of the family, I have to join the party of my daughter and (obey) the wish of my father,” Ouano, who was present at the birthday party, told reporters. Pedong and Ouano-Dizon also attended the celebration.

No schedule has been set yet for Ouano’s oath-taking with LP.

Asked what position he will run for next year, Ouano said it will depend on Davide, LP provincial chairman. “I’m just a newcomer,” he said.

Ouano said he has yet to formally inform Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who delivered her last State of the Province Address last Friday, about his decision to leave One Cebu Party.

He said One Cebu will understand him because his reason for joining LP is his family.

Rep. Pablo John Garcia (Cebu, 3rd District) said the party has yet to receive confirmation from Ouano about his decision to join LP. Garcia is One Cebu’s secretary general and gubernatorial candidate for 2013.

Bakud

Garcia said the number one sign that Ouano was interested in LP was when he attended the Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) party’s signing of a coalition agreement with the LP last July 7.

That event was held in time for the birthday of another political leader, Danao City Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano VI. At that time, Ouano did explain that he was just accompanying his daughter, Councilor Ouano-Dizon.

Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy, a One Cebu member, said Ouano’s transfer will be a loss for the party.

“Diri sa sixth district, dako kaayo na ug piang kay ang congressman gud nawa man ug si Teddy nawa pud. Dako kaayong problema (The party will be crippled in the sixth district, since the congressman and Teddy have left. It’s a big problem),” he told reporters.

Birthday

Sitoy, who was present at the party, was referring to Rep. Luigi Quisumbing (Cebu, 6th district), who joined the LP last May.

The Cordova mayor is also rumored to be joining LP. But when asked by reporters if he is leaving One Cebu for LP, he said: “Dili pa ko mo-announce ana (I’m not making any announcement yet).”

His son, Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy, is a member of LP.

Former political rivals attended Cortes’ 46th birthday party at the Amnezia Superclub in North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City.

Aside from the Ouanos, present during the party were former sixth district congresswoman Nerissa Soon-Ruiz and former Mandaue vice mayor Carlo Fortuna, both of whom have been hired as city consultants.

“I’m filled with mixed emotions,” Mayor Cortes said in his speech, after acknowledging the presence of his former political rivals.

Rep. Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, south district) and Rep. Quisumbing also attended the celebration, as did Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado.

Meanwhile, Danao City Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr. clarified that former Danao vice mayor Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV will not be running for vice governor under One Cebu. He said he included Boboy in his line-up for the Danao City Council.

The mayor plans to run for reelection, with former mayor Jesus “Don” Durano as his running mate.

The mayor also said Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile and former president Joseph Estrada will be back in Cebu for a meeting when he and Don will take their oath with One Cebu.

Mayor Durano was spotted Friday during the State of the Province Address.