THE Liberal Party has coalesced with the National Unity Party (NUP) and will field former Villanueva town Mayor Julio Uy to challenge Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano in the 2016 elections.
First district Rep. Peter Unabia, who heads the LP in Misamis Oriental, said the coalition has also agreed to pit Balingasag town Mayor Alexis Quina against Vice Governor Joey Pelaez.
The NUP is the party of Uy and his wife, second district Rep. Juliette Uy. It was formed by former members of Lakas-Kampi-CMD and is part of the LP-led coalition in the House of Representatives.
“I am not running for governor. It is Julio who will run. I am seeking my third term,” Unabia said.
Unabia said they also agreed that NUP will be responsible for fielding candidates for the provincial board and mayors in the second district of Misamis Oriental.
The LP will choose the candidates for the provincial board and mayors in the first district.
Unabia said 15 town mayors belong to the coalition.
“I think we can complete by August or after the SONA of President Aquino by the end of July,” Unabia said.
Quina confirmed that he was chosen to be the vice gubernatorial candidate by the coalition, but said he needed more time to study his options.
He said he would make his decision after the State-of-the-Nation Address of President Benigno Aquino III towards the end of July.
“Many candidates including me will wait after the SONA of President Aquino who will announce the presidential standard bearer of the Liberal Party,” Quina said.
“Once maklaro na who is the standard bearer, everyone will decide na dayon,” he added.
Vice Governor Pelaez told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro Friday that they are not worried of Uy if he runs against Emano.
He is also not worried if Quina takes him on.
“We are more worried if it is Unabia who will run against Bambi,” Pelaez said, referring to Emano by his nickname.
Pelaez is known to have his own political machinery aside from that of Padayon Pilipino and Emano’s.
Observers note that In Misamis Oriental, political machineries that extend to village chieftains were more reliable in getting the votes than the support of the mayors.