VICE Gov. Gregorio Sanchez said many mayors of One Cebu party and other elected provincial officials have signified their intention to transfer to the Liberal Party (LP).
Sanchez issued the statement yesterday at his office. The LP will meet at 10 a.m. today at the Casino Español de Cebu.
He refused to name the mayors. He also refused to say if these mayors are attending today’s LP gathering.
He said the meeting was organized to strengthen the LP party. It will be presided over by defeated gubernatorial candidate Hilario “Junjun” Davide III, LP’s provincial chairman.
Sought for reaction, lawyer Rory Jon Sepulveda, One Cebu’s spokesperson, said if what Sanchez said is true, there’s no need for the One Cebu mayors to transfer.
Sepulveda said One Cebu’s chairman emeritus, Rep. Pablo Garcia (Cebu, 2nd district) was given the same post in Congress as deputy speaker.
The party’s secretary general, Rep. Pablo John Garcia (Cebu, 3rd district) will be named chairman of the committee on public order and security.
Free country
“This is a free country but we doubt if there’s truth to Sanchez’s claim,” Sepulveda said in Bisaya.
“At least a sense of political maturity would apply here. You don’t have to transfer.
Gadamgo lang sad na siya (Sanchez is dreaming),” he said.
Sanchez said they will come up with a complete slate for the Philippine Councilors’ League (PCL) and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Cebu. He said they need to field a candidate both in the PCL and LMP posts.
Davide earlier said they hope to get another seat in the Provincial Board (PB), which is dominated by allies of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.
Elections
He also confirmed the LP will be fielding candidates to the PCL elections on Aug. 4.
Consolacion Councilor Julius Alegado is one of those being considered by LP to be their bet for president.
Fielding PCL candidates is LP’s way of showing their party is alive in the Province.