Gwen thanks Nito for pledging support

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is thankful to Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) for declaring support for her senatorial bid despite their different political affiliations.

Even if Bakud has formally severed its political ties with Garcia’s One Cebu party, Danao City Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito”Durano III who heads Bakud party still pledged support for Garcia’s senatorial bid to assure Cebu’s representation in the Senate.

“Nagpasalamat ko nga in spite of our local realignments, kung national na gani ang pagahisgutan, maghugpong gyud ug maghugop ang mga Sugbuanon,” Garcia said. (I’m thankful that in spite of our local realignments, Cebuanos are still united in the national level.)

Bakud party has forged a new alliance with the Liberal Party and endorsed the tandem of former Cebu City Councilor Hilario Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale for governor and vice governor, respectively.

Davide will be running against Garcia’s brother, Pablo John, now Cebu’s third district representative. One Cebu has yet to choose Pablo John’s runningmate.

“That was also a unanimous decision on our part,” Magpale said on Bakud’s support for Garcia.

Bakud was with One Cebu Party in the 2007 and 2010 elections.

Its resolution states that the decision to cut political ties with One Cebu was a consequence of the party’s desire to heed President Benigno Aquino’s call for social change and good governance.

Aquino’s appointment of Secretary Rene Almendras to the cabinet was seen as a major consideration in Bakud’s decision to ally with the LP and abandoned One Cebu.

Energy Secretary Almendras is the younger brother of Magpale, a founding member of Bakud Party.

Garcia and Magpale were together in a consultative meeting in Boljoon town yesterday.

The members of the Provincial Board held their out-of-town session there.

Durano’s daughter, PB Member Carmen Remedios Durano-Meca, said, there is no reason for them not to support Garcia’s bid for the Senate.

Meca said Garcia has always been supportive of the Philippine Councilors League – Cebu Chapter, which she heads.

Garcia has already announced her intention to seek for a higher office after her term expires next year.

She is now in the list of senatorial bets of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Jejomar Binay and former president Joseph Estrada.  (FREEMAN)