Magpale, not Davide, to run against Garcia

IT'S official.

Gov. Hilario Davide III will run in the midterm elections in May, but as the running mate of Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, who will run for governor in his stead.

The rumors that they would trade places turned out to be true after Davide filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice governor before the Cebu Provincial Election Office yesterday.

Davide said he decided to give way to Magpale for various reasons.

He said mayors who had supported him were forced to shift alliances due to threats that cases would be filed against them or they would be included on the narco-list.

He, however, refused to divulge who had been threatening his allies and supporters.

“There had been pressures applied to our supporters by influential persons. Dili na lang ko mohisgot sa pangalan apan feel nako kung magpadayon ko pagka-gobernador, maglisud nya ko og laban kanila tungod kay wala man tay contact sa Malacañang (I believe the pressure would continue if I ran for governor. It would be hard for me to support them because I don’t have any contacts in Malacañang),” Davide said.

He believes the threats will stop now that he is running for vice governor.

He clarified that the decision not to run for reelection as governor was made “without pain and reservation.”

“I was born on an outstanding partnership. I firmly believe that with Agnes (Magpale) as governor, Cebu will continue to journey in a path of good governance,” Davide said.

He also believes President Rodrigo Duterte has a “sweet spot” for Magpale, who the latter considers as a relative.

The governor denied allegations that he gave way to Magpale because he was scared to run against Garcia, who beat him when they faced each other in the 2010 gubernatorial race.

“I did not back down because I was scared. It’s not part of my nature to be afraid in any political contest,” Davide said in Cebuano.

Gubernatorial candidate Rep. Gwen Garcia (3rd district) said Davide’s claim is an “insult” to Cebu’s mayors.

“I think it is an insult to the mayors to suggest that they succumb to pressure,” Garcia said.

Meanwhile, after accepting the call to run for governor, Magpale assured her allies and supporters that she has a fighting chance against Garcia.

“I have a very good chance,” Magpale said.

Despite the transfer of some mayors to Garcia’s One Cebu Party, Magpale assured that there are still some mayors who support her candidacy.

Davide also belittled the commitment of some mayors who joined the convention organized by One Cebu last Sunday to consolidate forces.

“Abi nimo katong ubang mayors, kontra gusto. Wala to malipay nga didto sila. Although tingale sila napugos (Some of them didn’t want to be there. They were not happy to be there. Although maybe they had no choice),” he said.

Magpale said the recent ombudsman decision disqualifying Garcia from running for public office could serve as a disadvantage to the congresswoman.

“The verdict on her case has been decided... that case will be one of the challenges she will face in her campaign,” Magpale said.

Magpale and Davide also denied that Malacañang was behind the switch.

“President Rodrigo Duterte doesn’t want to dip his hands in local politics. Even his daughter, Sara (Duterte-Carpio), doesn’t want to be involved, saying ‘Magulo diyan sa Cebu’,” Magpale said, recalling her conversation with the President’s daughter during a meeting in Davao City.

Magpale also belittled claims that her age will be a disadvantage during the campaign.

“At 76, I am healthy. My knees and joints might crack once in a while, but my heart and mind are still young,” Magpale added.

In a separate interview, Garcia said Davide made up the allegations to cover his misgivings in managing the Province.

She believes the mayors who defected to One Cebu had judged Davide’s administration thoroughly.

“Kaning mga mayores nakakita sa dakong diperensya sa una nga ako ang gobernador ug sa karun nga estado sa Probinsya (The mayors saw how different it was when I was governor compared to how the Province is now),” Garcia said.

As to be up against Magpale, Garcia said she considers her to be a “worthy opponent.”

“It will be a showdown between two women. One that has longed served for many, many, many, many, many, many, many years and a woman that has served over a decade,” Garcia said.

Garcia also announced that she has already chosen her running mate. She will disclose the identity today, the last day of the filing of the COC.

Magpale has yet to file her COC, as she awaits her certificate of nomination and acceptance from her mother party, the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

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