Boboy Durano wants to run with PJ

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale may be facing her cousin in the vice gubernatorial race next year.

Danao City Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr. revealed yesterday that his son, former vice mayor Ramon “Boboy” Durano V, is interested to run for vice governor under One Cebu Party.

Mayor Boy said during the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza he is only waiting for the decision of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, the party’s president, and Rep. Pablo John Garcia, the party’s secretary-general and gubernatorial bet.

He added he is willing to sacrifice his family “for the sake of party unity.”

Pablo John said he is set to have a meeting with Boboy this week to discuss his plans for 2013.

“We welcome Mayor Boy Durano’s statement as it opens possibilities,” Pablo John said.

For Gov. Garcia, Mayor Boy’s pronouncement is “a very interesting” and “a welcome development.”

Magpale is not surprised by the development. She said she already heard about Boboy’s intention to run against her.

“Okey lang,” said Magpale in a text message to The Freeman.

Magpale said there is nothing new about family members or even brothers running against each other.

One Cebu Party earlier offered Magpale to be Pablo John’s runningmate.

But she turned it down as her party, the Barug Alang sa Kalamboan ug Demokrasya (Bakud), severed its ties with One Cebu and forged an alliance with the Liberal Party.

Bakud, led by Mayor Boy’s estranged brother, Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III endorsed lawyer Hilario “Junjun” Davide III for governor and Magpale for vice governor.

But Mayor Boy said Magpale cannot win in Danao City.

He said Nito conducted a survey in 2001 and results showed that Magpale cannot win as vice mayor over former mayor Jesus “Don” Durano.

Boy said Magpale was Nito’s first choice to be his runningmate in 2001.

But Nito later asked him (Boy) to run for vice mayor and won for three terms until the 2007 elections.

Boy said that Nito’s margin in 2007 elections was only 5,000 votes against their brother, Don.

When it was his turn to run for mayor in 2010, Boy said his margin against Don was around 15,000 votes.

In 2013 elections, Boy will run for mayor with Don as his runningmate against Nito who will be running with his son, Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano VI. —/MBG (FREEMAN)