Monday, July 19, 2004
Tining Martinez, Deo Durano may shun LMP post
OUTGOING League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Cebu President Celestino “Tining” Martinez III is not seeking reelection today and no one from his camp is interested in the post.
That, as Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia’s group will start flexing its muscle, using their numbers to show proof that they are the “political force to be reckoned with” in Cebu Province.
Unlike in previous years when the LMP post has always been hotly contested, Martinez expects this morning’s elections to go smoothly.
As of yesterday, there was certainty that Garcia’s group will not be as strong if Sogod Mayor Thadeo Durano vies for the presidency because many of Garcia’s supporters are willing to go with Durano.
Durano, however, refused to run for league president, saying he does not want to be divisive. Instead, he will run for treasurer.
New era
Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Allan Cesante will seek the LMP presidency, with Balamban’s Alex Binghay running for one of two vice presidential slots. Daanbantayan Mayor Ma. Luisa Loot was also urged to run for vice president for the north, but begged off.
“This is a new era in Cebu politics and we must seize the opportunity to lead this province as a group. This is a development-driven force,” the governor said.
Durano, interviewed before his meeting with fellow mayors last night, said he was bent on refusing the prodding of mayors, even if he knows he can rely on the support of 27 of Cebu’s 47 town mayors.
Garcia’s group will form a new political party, and they are starting to make their by-laws already.
Target
Vice Mayors’ League (VML) president Ricar-do Ramirez, spokesman of Garcia’s rival, Celes-tino “Junie” Martinez Jr., said they are going to give the LMP and VML presidencies to Garcia’s group because it is the PCL that they will fight for.
Unlike the LMP and VML heads, the president of the PCL gets a seat in the Provincial Board (PB).
“Even if we seek reelection, it will be another three years if famine, another three years of me and Tining scouring around for funds and practically no line-up of activities. Even our Christmas party they wanted boycotted,” said Ramirez.
As for Tining, he said he wants to give someone else a chance to serve the league because he has been given his share of time.
Being a last-term mayor of Bogo, he also wants to focus on its conversion into a city.
As of yesterday afternoon, he was still not sure who is running, but said he wants somebody “who can stand in behalf of the mayors and not just Gwen, and who will also be successful in the national league.”
As of last night, Garcia counted 28 mayors on her side.
These mayors, according to Garcia, “redefined” the political situation in Cebu by proving for the first time that a governor can win without support from a single congressman.
(July 19, 2004 issue)
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