Saturday, March 03, 2007 ‘Unity’ prefers incumbents
GOV. Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez are likely to become the official candidates of Team Unity for the gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial race in Cebu.
Team Unity spokesman Joseph “Ace” Durano explained the coalition’s goal is to avoid conflicts between the parties in the alliance.
In a radio interview, the tourism secretary pointed out that if the different parties in the coalition field their own candidates, the arbitration committee will negotiate to avoid conflict.
But if no one will give way, then the coalition will support the incumbent, as the coalition is following the equity of the incumbent rule.
If there is no incumbent candidate who is a member of the coalition in a province or district, and the different parties will also field their own candidates, it might be declared a free zone.
Among the parties under Team Unity are Lakas and Kampi.
Garcia’s One Cebu party is now allied with the Kabalikat ng Masang Pilipino (Kampi).
But Lakas spokeman Elberto “Bert” Emphasis had announced that former congressman Celestino “Junie” Martinez will run for governor against Garcia under Lakas, although Martinez did not confirm this.
The Garcias, for their part, will not allow Cebu Province to be considered a free zone for the coalition.
In the first district, Rep. Eduardo Gullas will be seeking reelection under Alayon, whose members will also take oath today for an alliance with Kampi.
Districts
There have been reports former Cebu vice governor John Gregory Osmeña will run against Gullas.
In the second district, former governor Pablo Garcia, Provincial Board (PB) Member Carmiano Kintanar and former congressman Crisologo Abines will be running for Congress.
Pablo is a member of One Cebu, while Kintanar is with Kampi. Abines is the candidate of the United Opposition.
Capitol consultant Pablo John Garcia of One Cebu and PB Member Estrella Yapha of Lakas will be fighting for the congressional seat in the third district.
In the fourth district, it will be a fight between Bogo Mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III and former PB Member Benhur Salimbagon.
Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano of Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) might run unopposed.
In the sixth district, Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz of One Cebu might be opposed by PB Member Gabriel Luis Quisumbing of Lakas, although Quisumbing has not yet confirmed he is running for Congress. (MBG)
