CEBU Gov. Hilario Davide III and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale were not met by San Fernando’s top officials in yesterday’s barangay workers’ cash incentive distribution.

Only Councilor Cecilia Umbay, representing Mayor Antonio “Abe” Canoy, was around to witness the cash distribution.

The situation shows how awkward election-period visits can get, when local allies want to defy their national party’s choices.

The Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), to whom San Fernando’s mayor and vice mayor belong, have pledged to support the Liberal Party (LP) in Cebu Province.

Magpale’s local party, Bakud of Cebu’s fifth district, which is allied with the NPC, fully supports the Davide-Magpale tandem and their Provincial Board members.

But while Bakud supports the Grace Poe-Chiz Escudero tandem, Davide and Magpale support LP’s presidential and vice presidential bets Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo.

During the inauguration of Poblacion-Sangi-Bugho road section in Barangay Magsiko-Bugho by Davide and Magpale, only Magsiko Barangay Captain Johnny Arriesgado was there with Taiheiyo Cement Philippines (TCPI) chief executive officer Satoshi Asami.

Donation

The TCPI donated 42,250 bags of cement for the concreting of the 2.8-km. road. Implemented by Tuanson Construction, the project is worth P19.781 million.

When sought for reaction, Canoy said he had a meeting yesterday. It was arranged months ago by a group who came all the way from Manila to Cebu to talk to the mayor.

“If I didn’t have a previous appointment, I’d be there,” Canoy told Sun.Star Cebu.

Capitol finance officials distributed P1.264 million in cash incentives to 680 barangay workers in San Fernando; P1.814 million to 921 barangay workers in Naga City; and P1.07 million to 550 barangay workers in Minglanilla.

From San Fernando, Davide and Magpale proceeded to Naga City for another distribution of cash incentives to barangay workers there.

Minglanilla and Naga City mayors are members of the Alayon Party, whose leader former congressman Eduardo Gullas and grandson Cebu 1st Dist Rep. Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. have vowed to support the LP’s national standard-bearers, Davide and Magpale.

Distribution

Headed by Mayor Valdemar Chiong, workers and city hall officials filled the gym to witness the distribution. With the mayor were the city councilors and barangay captains.

Davide and Magpale handed P20,000 to centenarian Concepcion Canonigo, who turned 101 years old last Dec. 8.

Capitol officials proceeded to the Minglanilla sports complex, where Mayor Elanito Peña and some barangay captains witnessed the turnover of cash incentives.

After the ceremonial turnover to representatives, the party proceeded to Barangay Guindarohan.

Davide, Magpale, Peña and Guindarohan Barangay Captain Leonardo Mañacap inaugurated the concreting of Abuno-Guindaruhan road section. Implemented by Tuanson Construction, the project is worth P20.901 million.