Thursday, January 25, 2007 Gwen wants to oust Dalaguete Mayor Cesante
MAYORS of Cebu’s second district have changed their minds and are now supporting former governor Pablo “Pabling” Garcia for Congress.
This is after their bet, Boljoon Mayor Deogenes Derama, backed down from his plan of running for the congressional seat for friendship’s sake, as expressed to Gov. Gwen-dolyn Garcia by his sister, Provincial Board (PB) Member Teresita Celis.
The short-lived conflict was earlier seen as a challenge to the governor’s leadership and showed a crack in what was a solid second district.
In a meeting last Tuesday night, Governor Garcia reportedly told 11 mayors present that she is no longer supporting League of Municipalities of the Philippines Cebu president Ronald Allan Cesante in whatever position he aspires for. Cesante, mayor of Dalaguete, is on his last term and is eyeing a seat in the Provincial Board.
He and Ronda Mayor Mariano Blanco III were not invited to last Tuesday’s meeting.
As for Blanco, the governor merely said: “He was not invited. Period.”
On Cesante, the governor said that the mayor “virtually” called Celis a less reliable source when Celis said their family, including Derama’s wife and their siblings abroad, persuaded Derama not to run.
Cesante had cited a “more reliable” source than Celis.
Meanwhile, aside from PB Member Julian Daan who went against the wishes of Rep. Eduardo Gullas, his political benefactor, two other close allies are running for elective posts as independent candidates.
Former city administrator Alan Bucao is vying for a council seat as an independent.
Bucao was offered Alayon’s slot for PB member and councilor during the party’s meeting last Jan. 4 but refused, only to file his poll papers at the last minute.
Gullas offered Bucao another post just to dissuade him from running, but this was also turned down.
Another close political associate, Aberdovey Belleza, a former three-term councilor and husband of reelectionist Councilor Shirley Belleza, also ignored Gullas’ entreaties for him not to go against the Alayon slate.
Aberdovey has filed his certificate of candidacy for vice mayor as an independent.
Aberdovey was Alayon’s campaign manager in Talisay City in the 2001 elections. He was also city market administrator.
Shirley said her husband never informed her about his seeking the vice mayoralty post.
She tried convincing Aberdovey in the last three days to withdraw his candidacy, but to no avail.
For her part, Governor Garcia is firming up her local party.
She met yesterday morning with Cesante’s vice mayor and the whole council, which reiterated their support for Garcia’s leadership and the candidacy of Pablo, the governor’s father.
When asked whether Cesante is already dumped from their group, which is scheduled to be officially launched as One Cebu Party this weekend, Gwendolyn replied: “This party represents an agreement of principles and how we do things...I don’t blackmail and I don’t appreciate being blackmailed.”
Cesante, for his part, cited that he was only voicing out sentiments as president of the mayors’ league and may have been misunderstood.
“I think the interviews and succeeding events appeared that we are against the governor, which is not the case. But I don’t blame them if that’s their take of what happened,” he said when interviewed by reporters.
He was standing on the street in front of the municipal hall when the group of the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo tour arrived in his town yesterday, but only the vice mayor and the councilors received Garcia and the guests at the sports center.
Cesante said he still supports the thrust and policies of the Garcia administration.
When asked if he will make an initiative to call the governor to talk about the situation, he said it is not his “style” but if he will be called to a meeting, he will attend.
He also explained reports that he did not bother to meet Pabling who visited his town last week, saying Pabling’s visit was unannounced and he was already in the mountain barangay of Mantalongon when the former governor arrived.
Cesante added that if it’s true he is being dumped by Garcia’s group, life will still go on for him as long as his constituents are satisfied with his performance.
“I am confident and I am grounded here,” he said, referring to his southern town.
In the middle of the confusion, PB Member Carmiano Kintanar yesterday said he is still running against Pabling, with Cesante and Argao Mayor Wilfredo Caminero as candidates for the board.
“Derama said he has the mayors, former governor Pabling said he has the barangay captains, so ang mga gagmayng tawo lang nga mga botante ang ako,” he said, laughing.
Board Member Kintanar greeted the governor yesterday when the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo group tour arrived and went with the visitors to the next towns of Dalaguete and Alcoy.
Caminero, however, said in an interview that it’s true he wants to run for the board, “on the pleasure of the governor.”
He also said he is supporting the former governor, Kintanar’s rival.
When told of Kintanar’s statement that he will be Kintanar’s candidate for PB, Caminero replied, “That’s what he wants.” (JPM/GC)
