"Senatoriables" for 2010: Ace, Cerge, Gwen in Lakas-CMD list

CEBU - The ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) has included three Cebuano leaders in a list of probable senatorial candidates for the 2010 elections.

This was revealed during the executive meeting of the party of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former President Fidel V. Ramos, the chairman emeritus.

The three are Tourism Secretary Joseph ‘Ace’ Durano, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia.

They are in the list of 33 probable candidates of the party that includes Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile along with Senators Richard Gordon, Lito Lapid, Ramon Revilla, Jr., and Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio said that credentials play a big role in the selection process in order for the party to field the best possible candidates.

Garcia, however, has already announced, during her State of the Province Address (SOPA) last year that she would not run for any national position in 2010.

Garcia said that there is still much to be done in Cebu and she’d be here to stay.

When asked to comment, Garcia said, “I’m not open to political questions right now. Ask me in 2010.”

Cebu Province 3rd District Rep. Pablo John Garcia, the governor’s younger brother, said that the national leadership recognizes his sister’s inspiring leadership with the way she handles the province.

Gov. Garcia is proud that the province is debt-free and has assets amounting to P17 billion.

Pablo John further stressed that the national leadership continues to court the governor because they believe that Cebu is strategically important.

They believe that with Garcia, Cebu could give them an advantage based on what happened in 2004 when Cebu gave President Arroyo an overwhelming majority.

In the 2007 elections, Garcia won by over 461,000 votes, a record-setting margin in Cebu, and the province went against the national trend in the senatorial elections.

Senators Manuel Villar, Mar Roxas III and Richard Gordon, who have expressed interest in the 2010 presidential race, all want Garcia to be their running mate.

For Durano and Remonde, they said that the election is still too far away and they would rather concentrate on their work.

Although he was flattered by the fact that Lakas was considering him in the ticket, Durano said he is not yet thinking about it seriously.

“I’m flattered that there are those who find me qualified for the position, but the elections is too far off to be thinking about seriously,” Durano said in a text message sent to The Freeman.

Fifth District Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano VI, who belongs to the National People’s Coalition (NPC), said the party is already aware that his brother is included in the probable senatorial bets of Lakas, but they are still waiting for the outcome of the merger of the political parties.

Remonde, for his part, is not aware that he is in the list, but nevertheless is honored that is included.

Remonde, who hails from Argao and a former media practitioner, threw his hat into the political arena when he ran for congressman of the North District of Cebu City in 1992 but lost to re-electionist Rep. Raul del Mar.

 “I am not aware of that but I’ll be honored if it’s true,” Remonde said in his text message to The Freeman. 

Remonde added, “I have no time for politics now.” He said he is focussed on his new position as Press Secretary.

Also in the line up are former Senators Sonny Alvarez, Tessie Aquino-Oreta and Dangerous Drug Board chairman Vicente Sotto, Rep. Mikey Arroyo, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, Silvestre Bello III, Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral, and former Rep. Mike Defensor.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Pagcor Chairman Ephraim Genuino, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, Immigration Commissioner Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan, Optical Board chair Edu Manzano, former Rep. Prospero Pichay, Rep. Monico Puentevella, NEDA Secretary Ralph Recto, Rep. Martin Romualdez, Chavit Singson, Buboy Syjuco, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Ray Villafuerte and Ed Zialcita are also in the list.

The party will still conduct a series of screenings and consultations in the next few days to pick the best bets.—/NLQ(THE FREEMAN)