Gwen's tough test in the 2nd District

The political pot in the Second District of Cebu Province is already boiling this early.

With four candidates looming for the congressional seat, political alliances have been challenged while some have started to show cracks if they have not yet been severed.

While Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia is pushing the bid of her father, former governor Pablo Garcia, in the congressional race, three others continue to loom as probable candidates and two of them belong to the camp of the lady governor.

The governor, who called a meeting last Tuesday night, has however reportedly settled the discord in her camp and already has the support of 11 of the 15 mayors from the Second District for her father's bid.

During the meeting, it was said that Boljoon town mayor Deogenes Derama would seek a third and final term and not run for congress.

Derama reportedly has the support of the town mayors from the district in his congressional bid.

Another ally of the governor, who is also bent on seeking the seat now held by Rep. Simeon Kintanar is PB Member Carmiano Kintanar, a nephew of the congressman.

PB Member Kintanar is still in his first term in his current position, but hopes to replace the incumbent congressman, who is on his third and final term and is already disqualified to seek re-election.

Former Congressman Crisologo 'Sol' Abines, who once was regarded as the strongman of the district, is also reportedly seeking his former seat.

While the four-way battle continues to be a hot topic, the growing discord between the governor and Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Allan Cesante is also being highlighted.

Cesante, president of the Municipal Mayors League, has announced that Derama would seek the congressional seat even if the Boljoon mayor will be running against the governor's father.

This statement reportedly was the root of the discord within the governor's party.

PB member Teresita Celis, a sister of Derama, said the governor categorically stated during the meeting she would not be supporting Derama in the May elections.

Derama, who is an ally of the governor, was not present in Tuesday's meeting due to some pressing concerns in Manila.

Cesante was not also in the meeting. Although he claims to have been busy preparing for the Suroy-suroy sa Sugbo project, sources say that he wasn't invited along with Ronda town mayor Marciano Blanco.

Another mayor who wasn't present in the meeting was Ginatilan's Dean Michael Singco, who begged off since he was busy with the preparations for the governor's visit as part of the Suroy-suroy sa Sugbo project.

Garcia somehow admitted to snubbing Cesante by saying that she had to choose between inviting the mayor and PB Member Celis, who has reiterated that her brother, Mayor Derama, would not run for a congressional seat.

Garcia also hit at Cesante saying that his statements contradict what have been agreed upon.

"The party represented one agreement and principles, at how we do things. We do not gain concessions by trying to contradict," Garcia said. "I don't blackmail and I would not also appreciate being blackmailed," she added.

Early yesterday morning, the entire Dalaguete municipal council led by Vice Mayor Andrade Alcantara went to see Garcia to reiterate their support to her leadership and assured her of their support to her father.

During the Suroy-suroy's stopover at Dalaguete town yesterday afternoon, it was noticed that Cesante did not go to the town's gymnasium where the governor was with the other visitors.

The town mayor instead stayed in front of the municipal directing the traffic flow.

Cesante told reporters that he still believes Derama is going to run for congressman in the second district because the latter was a no show in Tuesday night's meeting.

He said he has just been misunderstood as going against the Garcias, because he is the spokesman of the town mayors and is obliged to air out whatever their sentiments are.

He clarified that when he said Derama is really running for congressman it was because it was what the town mayors wanted. He added that the Boljoon town mayor has not yet come up with any official statement if he really is backing out from his congressional plans.

Cesante said that if Derama would not pursue his congressional bid, this does not automatically mean the mayors from the district would throw their support to the governor's father.

He explained that the process to select a candidate must be done properly in consultation with the town officials. Cesante said that there has never been any consultation done to this effect.

Cesante added that despite the perception that he has broken away from Garcia's camp, he will continue supporting Capitol's programs.

PB Member Kintanar revealed that Cesante and Argao town Mayor Wilfredo Caminero are both running for PB Members representing the second district.

Both are on their last term as town mayors and apparently want to replace Carmiano and PB member Antonio Almirante, Jr., who is a third termer.

The congressional bid of Kintanar reportedly adds to the confusion among the governor's allies.

It is not yet certain if the board member will get the support of his uncle, who is closely associated with former Senator John Henry 'Sonny' Osmeña a staunch critic of the governor.

Carmiano however said that even if he will be up against the father of the governor, he will still support her re-election bid if she will continue to run under the administration party of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.