Thursday, March 01, 2007 Gwen’s task: Unite factions By Jeanette P. Malinao Sun.Star Staff Reporter
MANILA - Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano and Rep. Soon-Ruiz’s official coming together after years of political rivalry was “beautifully apparent” in yesterday’s oath-taking of One Cebu party members with Kampi, their national party.
But continued bickering among local officials who attended the gathering was also obvious, although this did not dampen their top leaders’ hopes of coming up with a middle ground.
For the first time in their political careers, Ruiz (Cebu, 6th district) and Ouano are now in one camp.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who is now Kampi’s official candidate in Cebu alongside reelectionist Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr., said they formed an alliance with Kampi of President Arroyo because they have the same principle of unity.
“We have seen that Kampi is a unifying thread. We will continue to call for a one united Cebu. The future looks bright and let’s march on to victory for our one united, undivided and indivisible great province of Cebu,” Garcia said in her speech after the oath-taking.
Those who will not work for Cebu to remain one will be like “ashes thrown into the river of forgetfulness” of the voting population, she warned.
New alliance
Kampi and Lakas are allies in the national politics but its coalition has not made its way to Cebu, which has Garcia’s camp with Kampi and former congressman Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr.’s group with Lakas.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, one of the founders of Kampi, welcomed One Cebu members to Kampi.
“We promise you we will show all the support that we can possibly give,” said Puno.
Ouano welcomed his newfound alliance with Ruiz and said they will help reconcile the conflicts in other parts of the sixth district.
Ruiz, for her part, said an arbitration committee will settle issues of opposing camps.
She said she is supporting the mayoral candidacy of Ouano’s son Jonkie and admitted that she will have to explain this to her leaders and make them understand that the development is the decision of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and the President herself.
Mandaue City Councilor Elmer Cabahug chose to keep mum on Ouano’s group to Kampi.
When Cabahug ran for councilor in 2004, he had the certificate of nomination from Kampi, the same party of Ruiz.
He was the lone winner from the opposition party in the City Council.
But yesterday, Cabahug said he will be an independent candidate when he seeks reelection.
“Ang akong partido sa Mandauehanon,” he said.
He will also wait for instructions from former senator John “Sonny” Osmeña, who also helped him in the last election.
Both mayoral candidates in Cordova town showed up and both insisted during interviews that they will run.
The camp of Mayor Arleigh Sitoy’s father Adelino and Vice Mayor Danilo Sinugbuhan do not see any possible resolution to their situation.
Realignments
“We are supportive of the governor, but we rely on our strength. There is no negotiation and I don’t think there will be a discussion on this. Di mi magkontra pero mag atbang lang mi,” Arleigh said of Sinugbuhan.
The two shook hands before eating lunch in the same gathering yesterday.
Sinugbuhan also does not see a win-win solution: “I intend to run.”
Lapu-Lapu Vice Mayor Patalinjug’s position with Kampi may also be threatened, as Ruiz yesterday revealed Radaza is also expressing interest to join Kampi.
“I will not agree to that. Adto nalang na siya ug asa siya ron. He is with Sonny Osmeña, isn’t he?” said Patalinjug.
Another “kink” that Ruiz and Governor Garcia, who is now provincial chairperson of Kampi, will have to untangle is Consolacion town, which both have warring Vice Mayor Leo Go and Mayor Avelino Gungob in the same party.
Kampi president Luis Villafuerte yesterday announced that PB Member and congressional aspirant Carmiano Kintanar has been dropped from being Kampi provincial chairman.
Adopted
Villafuerte also announced Kampi will be endorsing Kintanar’s rival in the race for the second congressional district, former governor Pablo Garcia.
He said they will find an “appropriate and suitable position for Kintanar” as Kintanar’s former designation was “already overtaken by events.”
“We will uphold all incumbents regardless of their former party affiliation. They will be adopted,” Villafuerte said.
“Just wait for developments. Don’t worry about it. This can be resolved and harmonized,” he said on the bickering. (With AAG)
