|
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
‘One Cebu’ slate out; opposition to follow
CEBU CITY -- The camp of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has announced its final slate for Cebu Province, but the opposition has yet to decide who will run against her in the May 14 elections.
"We are gathered here as we prepare for battle against an enemy that, until today, remains nameless and faceless," said Capitol consultant Pablo John Garcia, who will be running for congressman in the third district.
Pinoy Votes: Sun.Star Election 2007 Coverage
In a radio dyLA interview Tuesday, Senate aspirant John "Sonny" Osmeña said challengers against Garcia and Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez will be announced "within 36 hours."
Last-term Representatives Antonio Yapha and Clavel Martinez were reportedly meeting with the Lakas hierarchy in Manila.
But if Lakas fields candidates against One Cebu for provincial seats, it could weaken or even split up the administration's alliance at the local level.
Candidates of One Cebu, who consider themselves the administration's candidates, have decided to "condemn the recent actions of the political party of Lakas, which tend to disturb the peace of the administration coalition in the Province of Cebu."
They threatened to withdraw support from senatorial candidates of Team Unity who are under Lakas if that party's local members "violate the equity of the incumbent rule" of the administration coalition.
Alliance
"What makes matters worse is that local Lakas leaders, some of whom have publicly, prominently and falsely accused the President of cheating in Cebu, have not made a secret of their unholy alliance with former senator John Osmeña, who is a member of the so-called Genuine Opposition," the statement read.
Six candidates on the Team Unity ticket-Prospero Pichay, Miguel Zubiri, Chavit Singson, Ramon Magsaysay, Cesar Montano and Sultan Jamalul Kiram III-run the risk of not getting the support of One Cebu leaders, unless the party's wrangling with Lakas gets settled.
"Because of our unity, we can make and unmake national candidates," said former Cebu governor Pablo Garcia, who is running for Congress in the second district.
Representative Ramon "Red" Durano VI announced he has resigned from Lakas after he was disappointed by its leadership.
Durano said he had met with party leaders because of some problems in selecting candidates in Cebu, but instead of finding a solution to the problem, the leaders threatened to field a candidate against him in the next elections.
Durano is now with the Nationalist People's Coalition.
Choices
The One Cebu slate will file Wednesday their certificates of candidacy after a mass at Capitol.
At Tuesday's One Cebu party gathering held at Casino Español, it was learned that Garcia's former running mate, Julian Daan, will be running as an independent candidate.
Representative Eduardo Gullas (Cebu, 1st district) is supporting incumbent Provincial Board (PB) Member Juan Bolo and Walter Selma.
Governor Garcia explained that she respects Gullas's choice, being the leader of the fist district.
For the first time also, it was revealed that Argao Mayor Wilfredo Caminero and Samboan Mayor Peter John Calderon will run for the second district's PB seats.
Instead of seeking reelection, Calderon will be replaced by his twin brother, Raymund.
In the third district, Ian Zambo will be running alone and Garcia said it is intended "to strengthen his chances of winning."
Zambo is the brother-in-law of Toledo City Mayor Arlene Zambo, who belongs to the opposition camp.
For the fourth district, Joven Mondigo Jr. and Joey Boy Holganza will run for the PB, while both PB Members Agnes Magpale and Judy Durano will be seeking reelection in the fifth district.
Compromise
In the sixth district, PB Member Victor Maambong will be seeking reelection. His partner will be Mandaue City Councilor Wenceslao Gakit.
Except for Congressman Gullas, all the congressional candidates of One Cebu attended the event.
In the sixth district, parties in the Team Unity coalition both endorsed reelectionist Representative Nerissa Soon-Ruiz as the official candidate.
Ruiz told Sun.Star Cebu Tuesday night that she received her certificate of nomination, signed by the leaders of the parties under the coalition.
"Further agreed that each political party represented herein shall not choose and nominate any candidate for the position other than the one already declared herewith as its official candidate," the certificate stated.
"This decision shall be binding on all political parties herein represented."
The certificate bore the signatures of Luis Villafuerte of Kampi, House Speaker Jose de Venecia of Lakas-CMD, Mayor Lito Atienza of the Liberal Party, Representative Michael Duavit of the Nationalist People's Coalition, former congressman Miguel Romero of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino and Secretary Norberto Gonzales Jr. of the Partidong Demokratikong Sosyalista ng Pilipinas.
Ruiz said that with her certificate of nomination, PB Member Quisumbing is virtually left without a party-which means he can neither field watchers nor get an official copy of the election returns.
Quisumbing, who was issued an appointment as Lakas chairman in the sixth district, reportedly filed his certificate of candidacy Tuesday afternoon.
According to Lakas spokesperson Bert Emphasis, Quisumbing filed to "end speculations." Sun.Star Cebu kept calling Quisumbing through his mobile phone Tuesday night but failed to get through.
Ruiz is going to file her certificate or candidacy Wednesday. (MBG & AAG of Sun.Star Cebu)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pangasinan. (March 28, 2007 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Hostage-taking drama ends