PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte did not endorse Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) candidates during his visit in Cebu last Oct. 30, but promised to come back in December to declare all of them as standard bearers of the ruling party in their desired positions.
This was revealed to SunStar Cebu by Board Member Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano, former Dumanjug mayor Nelson Garcia and Presidential Legislative Adviser Adelino Sitoy.
Sitoy theorized that by that time, the list of PDP-Laban candidates will be final and there will no longer be any substitution.
Ouano said Duterte promised to officially endorse PDP-Laban gubernatorial standard bearer Gwendolyn Garcia, the incumbent 3rd District representative, and other candidates down to the last councilor.
Ouano said they will also expect by that time the presence of Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, the PDP-Laban president; and Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi.
Duterte arrived at Mandani Bay Hotel at 11:45 p.m. last Oct. 30 after a meeting at the Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base.
For his part, Ouano said majority of the candidates for congressmen, namely, Ronald Cesante (2nd District), Nelson Garcia (7th District), Pablo John Garcia (3rd District), Janice Salimbangon (4th District) and Enmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon (6th District) were called for a photo opportunity.
Absent were Eduardo Gullas (1st District) and Duke Frasco (5th District).
Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III is not worried that President Duterte graced the activity of the group of Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia last Tuesday.
The President was the main guest of the PDP-Laban-One Cebu gathering in Mandani Bay in Mandaue City.
The President, who arrived just before midnight, was expected to endorse Garcia’s group in next year’s elections, but didn’t do so.
“We’re not worried. We’ll work hard to campaign together with Vice Gov. (Agnes Magpale),” Davide told reporters yesterday.
Instead of seeking a third term as governor, Davide will be running for vice governor, while Magpale will be running for governor against Garcia.
For Davide, his only consolation was that the President made no endorsement of Garcia’s group last Tuesday.
He also hopes that the administration will keep its word in declaring Cebu a “free zone” in next year’s elections.
“Mas maayo gani nga free zone. We prefer it. We even welcome the statement of Mayor Sara (Duterte-Carpio) that Cebu will be a free zone,” Davide added. (EOB, JKV)