Wagas is opposition bet for Cebu's fifth district

CEBU, Philippines - The United Opposition yesterday proclaimed former Compostela mayor Gilbert Wagas as their official congressional candidate for Cebu’s fifth district.

Wagas got the majority in yesterday’s votation held in Liloan sports complex against former Danao City mayor Jesus “Don” Durano and incumbent Liloan Mayor Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco.

The selection of the official candidate for the congressional post was made during the Congress of Leaders in Liloan town attended by some 1,500 barangay and precinct leaders of the United Opposition in Cebu’s fifth district.

Durano was not around for the event while Frasco is on leave with his wife Cristina Garcia-Frasco in the United States.

Gilbert Wagas was proclaimed by Carmen Mayor Sonia Pua and Tudela Mayor Roger Baquerfo.

After the proclamation, Wagas expressed thanks for the support and confidence of the political leaders in the district. 

He said the challenge will not only be his but also for people in the district as they now realize how the Duranos run the district.

The affair was also attended by Gilbert’s brother Compostela Mayor Ritchie Wagas and mayoralty candidates Edwin Aroma of Catmon, Andrew Arquillano of San Francisco and Sally Montecillo of Sogod town.

The whistleblower of the ZTE-NBN deal Joey De Venecia III and Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr. were also there.

The fifth district opposition group claimed that they have already established roots and organized their group in vital towns.

At present, some 207 barangays and 1,397 precincts are being manned by opposition leaders all of whom have undergone orientation and training. A total of 13,500 group leaders are being recruited.

The Nagkahiusang Oposisyon sa Kinto Distrito, in a separate press statement, said they are the most organized opposition group in the entire Cebu province and are poised to challenge the entrenched Durano political dynasty in the district.

Initially composed of a core of die-hard followers of the late Nenita “Inday Nita” Cortez-Daluz, the group has expanded its reach and has attracted many new entrants to the political landscape, it added. —Jose P. Sollano/BRP   (FREEMAN NEWS)