It’s PJ, Boboy tandem for 2013

IN A proclamation meeting yesterday in Danao City, One Cebu Party gubernatorial aspirant Rep. Pablo John “PJ” Garcia (Cebu, 3rd district) announced former vice mayor Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV as his runningmate in next year’s elections.

Also yesterday, officials of One Cebu headed by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and 11 town mayors and a vice mayor of the second district held a press conference at the Provincial Capitol to prove that they are united.

Pablo John said they chose Boboy as his runningmate because of his experience and youth.

Before the proclamation, Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr., his son Boboy, former mayor Jesus “Don” Durano, his son and ABC president Ramon “Monching” Durano V, and around 4,000 Danao City residents who filled the City Civic Center took their oath of office as One Cebu Party members before Gov. Gwen Garcia.

Pablo John then proclaimed Boboy as his runningmate.

Boboy accepted.

“Nagsugod siya sa ilawom (He started from the bottom),” Pablo John told the crowd in his speech.

Importance

He said they are giving importance to town leaders who showed appreciation to the Province’s contribution to their towns.

The mayors from the different towns of the second district expressed their support for One Cebu.

A vice mayor for three consecutive terms from 1992 to 2001, Boboy started as Poblacion barangay captain and ABC president from 1988 to 1992.

After his term as vice mayor, Boboy was appointed as city administrator from 2001 to 2006.

He then became a director of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) from 2006 to 2010. At the same time he served as a director-observer of the Metro Cebu Water District and as a director of Al Amanah Islamic and Investment Bank of the Philippines.

“Dinhi ko nagsugod. Kamo ang primero nakasaksi nga akong gidawat ang nominasyon. Andam ba mo? (This is where I started. You are the first to witness that I accepted the nomination. Are you ready?” Boboy said, as he asked the crowd’s help in his candidacy.

The crowd said, “Oo (Yes).”

Other officials who joined the One Cebu Party proclamation yesterday were Anad Partylist Rep. Pastor “Jun” Alcover, Rep. Pablo Garcia (Cebu, 2nd district), former Catmon mayor Estrella Aribal, and her former vice mayor Avis Monleon.

Appreciation

During the One Cebu press conference at Capitol, Garcia said they gave importance to the municipal leaders who showed appreciation to the Province’s contribution to their towns.

The mayors from the different towns of the second district also expressed their support for One Cebu.

Pablo John, secretary general of the party, said they called for the presscon to end rumors circulating that only two town leaders were left for One Cebu.

The elder Garcia, Pablo John’s father, also said there is no reason why the relationship of the leaders in the district’s towns with One Cebu leaders would change. He said the support of the mayors remains with the governor.

“We understand and help each other. There is no reason why we should change that relationship,” the second district congressman said in Cebuano.

The elder Garcia said he has been helping out the local leaders when it comes to electricity and water supply.

The mayors of the different towns said that with Garcia’s help to their towns, they cannot just turn their backs on One Cebu and not lend them support.

Present during the presscon were Alegria Mayor Melit Guisadio, Malabuyoc Mayor Daisy Creus, Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Cesante, Moalboal Mayor Inocentes Cabaron, Alcoy Mayor Nic delos Santos, Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren, Badian Mayor Robburt Librando, Boljoon Mayor Teresita Celis, Alcantara Mayor Prudencio Barino, Ronda Mayor Mariano Blanco III and Ginatilan Vice Mayor Dean Singco.

Follow lead

Meanwhile, Pablo John said Daanbantayan Mayor Maria Luisa Loot will follow the lead of Rep. Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu, 4th district) regarding next year’s election.

He said Loot told him at the Haladaya Festival last Thursday how his father and Governor Garcia helped in the development of Daanbantayan.

“Mayor Loot stands by and subscribes to the leadership of Benhur Salimbangon,” he said.

Salimbangon (not Gen. Vic Loot as earlier reported), said he stands by the candidacy of Pablo John and introduced Gwen as the first lady Cebuano “to be elected to the Senate.”

“I hope Salimbangon will endorse me,” Pablo John added.