Cebu ‘surprises’ opposition bets

THE Cebuanos’ “overwhelming support” surprised United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) candidates, who went around the cities of Mandaue, Cebu and Talisay yesterday morning, the first day of the campaign period for national bets.

Rep. Tobias Tiangco (Navotas City), UNA secretary general, said they did not expect to be received warmly by the Cebuanos since Cebu is not considered a bailiwick of the opposition.

“I think they’re happy with the decision (to hold the proclamation rally here in Cebu). We’re surprised na mainit talaga yung pagtanggap ng mga Cebuanos sa amin, and we’re grateful for that. Iba talaga yung acceptance this time. There’s warmth,” he told reporters after the closed-door meeting with UNA candidates at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel yesterday afternoon.

Vice President Jejomar Binay said UNA’s decision to hold its proclamation rally in Cebu should not come as a surprise.

Aside from being a progressive city known for its good governance, he said, Cebu was chosen also to show support for suspended Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and other Team Rama allies joined UNA leaders during a mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral yesterday morning.

Binay, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, former senator Ernesto Maceda and UNA senatorial candidates also went around downtown Cebu City, Talisay and Mandaue to shake hands with the people.

Rama and Garcia also joined the activities.

Insurance

Meanwhile, former Cebu City councilor Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba, who will be running for
the first congressional district of Cebu Province under the Liberal Party (LP) ticket, handed out insurance policies to residents in Barangay Poblacion in Talisay City.

Alcoseba said about 40 residents received insurance policies that include accidental death benefits and burial assistance of P10,000.

Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale, LP’s vice gubernatorial bet, was also in Talisay City to distribute the honoraria of barangay health workers, nutrition scholars, daycare workers and barangay tanods.

Barangay health workers, nutrition scholars and daycare workers went to the Tabunok Sports Complex to get their honoraria of P2,400 each, said barangay nutrition scholar
Asteria Hilaga.

Tanods reportedly received P1,500 each.

Homily

The UNA-led motorcade included a red-plate white Toyota van marked “mayor.”

In his homily during the mass, Msgr. Roberto Alesna urged the candidates not to abuse their positions, especially during the campaign. He asked them to work for a credible and peaceful election.

Quoting Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, he also reminded the candidates to focus on public service.

Alesna also encouraged them to leave a legacy of good governance.

“Do not forget that when you are elected, you are to serve the people… We do believe that good governance results generally in a good economy. But good governance takes root from credible elections,” he said.

Advice

Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, on the other hand, urged candidates to be honest and advised voters to “be careful” and to “listen well.”

“Discern and pray that good leaders would come,” he said.

Vidal said he is not supporting any particular candidate but politicians who wish to visit him are welcome at his residence.

He noted that some persons can become good leaders but they cannot run for public office because of lack of funds and political machinery.

He said a good leader must be someone who can find solutions to Cebu’s many problems.