CEBU - The camp of Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr. has lost another longtime political ally in the Cebu fourth district.
This after the Gerona family of Tabuelan town led by Mayor Casiano Gerona and son, Vice Mayor Rex Gerona, and all town and barangay officials have shifted their allegiance to Representative Benhur Salimbangon.
The shift of support came after the people of the town did not heed the call of the local officials to vote for then Bogo Mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, who was running against Salimbangon in the May 2007 elections.
Casiano, who has been with the Martinezes for the past decades, was quoted as saying, “di na nako mapugngan ang mga tawo sa niaging eleksiyon.”
Only one candidate of Gerona lost in the May 2007 election but the people voted for Salimbangon. In the October 2007 barangay election, all the 12 barangay captains allied with Gerona also won.
Salimbangon said that he was having difficulty when he ran against Tining considering that majority of the town and barangay officials were allied with the Martinezes.
But when he won, Salimbangon said he put up some projects in the town because it is his responsibility to serve all the people in his district. These projects include school buildings, road asphalting and concreting.
Rex and all barangay captains have welcomed Salimbangon during the lawmaker’s first visit to the town as representative of the district. — Gregg M. Rubio/LPM (THE FREEMAN)