THE Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud), a local political party based in the fifth district, is now allied with Davao City-based Hugpong ng Pagbabago. Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale made the announcement after Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano VI (Cebu, 5th district) informed her about the development.
Magpale was quick to clarify that Bakud is still under the Nationalist People’s Coalition.
In other words, there was no defection. No turncoatism. No taking advantage of the situation.
Last week, the Alayon Party, which dominates the first district, also announced that it also forged an alliance with Hugpong after its standard bearer, First District Rep. Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas, along with his grandfather, Talisay City Mayor Eduardo “Eddiegul” Gullas, met with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Hugpong’s founder.
Samsam, too, clarified that Alayon’s ties with the administration party PDP-Laban remains intact.
Again, there was no defection. No turncoatism. No taking advantage of the situation. Apparently, Alayon and Bakud’s partnership with Hugpong is regional in scope.
Whatever.
One Alayon ally was more upfront. The source said that any alliance with Hugpong would give local parties an “economic edge.” “Mas daghang projects kay close man sa Presidente ang Hugpong,” the source added.
Well, thank you for saying out loud what we already know. I have to give it to the ally’s candor. Of course, it would have been more admirable if he, or she, didn’t hide behind the veil of anonymity.
But hey, we’re talking about politics here. Stranger things have happened. Just look at what’s going on in Cebu City. Former foes, and we’re talking about trading below-the-belt-insults adversaries, are now running together for the city’s two highest posts.
If you still don’t know, Mayor Tomas Osmeña is running for reelection with former Lahug barangay captain now City Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos as his running mate.
I know. My eyebrows are currently plastered in the ceiling. Oh, and don’t forget to cue in the thunder and lightning. But we all know that in politics, there are no permanent friends, or, in this case, enemies, just permanent interests.
Still, wasn’t it only two years ago that de los Santos was with the opposition? The only candidate of then Team Rama to win as north district councilor in 2013?
But hey, if the two can move on, we should, too. Right?
You never know, Third District Rep. Gwen Garcia, who is running for governor, might announce that her running mate will be Magpale.