Uno makes its moves in the province: Opposition names Sol Abines as Cebu chairman

The United Opposition (UNO) is putting up a fight in Cebu Province and has appointed former Congressman Crisologo 'Sol' Abines of the 2nd District as chairman.

Abines, who announced his plans to seek his old congressional post in his district against former Governor Pablo Garcia, was appointed by UNO national president Jejomar Binay.

The appointment was dated February 8 and Abines now has the authority to nominate the official candidates for the party in the local elections on May 14.

In a press conference yesterday, the former congressman announced that the opposition plans to field bets from governor down to the municipal councilor level.

"Ang United Opposition maninguha nga mangita og kinalig-onan nga kandidato gikan sa probinsiya, provincial board, Congressman, mayor ug hangtud ngadto sa mga konsehal sa lungsod," Abines said.

He said that the opposition shall be able to complete its complete slate in a couple of weeks. Abines originally planned to run as mayor of Santander against Wilson Wenceslao, the incumbent. His appointment as provincial chairman of UNO changed his plans and he now wants to seek his old seat in congress on the prodding of the party. His son, former Santander Mayor Arnold Abines is reportedly running for councilor of the town, but the UNO provincial chairman said that a member of his family will be seeking the mayoralty of the town, which was their erstwhile bailiwick. The Abines family used to be unbeatable in Santander until Arnold lost is his reelection bid to Wenceslao back in 2001.

Admitting that it's the people who can bring his victory against his opponents, Abines described the coming election as "simple" and as some sort of a "referendum" following the theory of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

He explained that the votes will be a matter of choosing whether you are in favor or against the administration.

"Kon nakauyon ka kang Presidente Arroyo, then botar kang Pabling, kon wa ka kauyon, botar kang Sol Abines. Simple ra man kaayo ni ba," he said.

Abines said that although it is now a mid-term election, the situation has changed because he is now the chairman of the opposition unlike in the 2004 presidential elections.

He said that he was honored to be offered the chairmanship of the opposition in the province even if he lost in the last elections. He even said that he is the only loser to have been given such opportunity.

While he did not specify any names as probable candidates for governor, Abines mentioned some prominent family names.

He said that the following families have the ability to run the province. These are the Osmeña, Martinez, Yapha, Quisumbing, Durano and Gullas families.

"Mao na'y mga apelyedo sa probinsiya sa Sugbo nga usa sa mga angayan nga mahimong gobernador," Abines said.

Abines mentioned about a probable Yapha-Martinez tandem or a Martinez-Yapha combination.

Abines has been allied with former Congressman Celestino "Junie" Martinez since 1972 when they were both elected as mayor in Santander and Bogo, respectively

From being a mayor, Abines had served as congressman in second district and finished his term in the 1995 elections. His wife, Priscilla, suceeded him for one term only then she lost to Rep. Simeon Kintanar in 1998 elections.

Martinez also finished his term as Congressman in 1998 and his wife, Rep. Clavel Asas-Martinez succeeded him and is set to end her term this year.

"This is a public knowledge, ang amo relasyon ni Junie grabe g'yung suora, wa pa gyud mi magkabuwag. So, dili imposibli nga dii mi magkauban," Abines said.

With this development, UNO Cebu spokesman Gilbert Wagas, said that they are now correcting the mental conditioning that there is nobody to challenge the reelection bid of Gov. Gwen Garcia and Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr.

Wagas said that definitely, UNO will be fielding candidates up to the municipal level.

Wagas also commented about the creation of One Cebu Party headed by Garcia saying that the administration now has no clear direction.

He is not running for any position, but he said that he continues his crusade against the Arroyo administration.

He added that the bolting of Garcia from Lakas will create more headaches to the administration.-(/NLQ)