One Cebu bets in Samboan take oath

CEBU, Philippines - Bets of One Cebu in Samboan town were able to take their oath with the party despite an alleged attempt of local officials to block the activity by allegedly disallowing the use of venues owned by the town.

The 1,500 “household leaders” of One Cebu took their oath at the back of the Saint Michael Archangel Parish Church following a short rosary prayer at the church.

In his welcome message, Vice Mayor Rogelio Capa said it was almost impossible to believe that the participants reached 1,500 considering an earlier report that someone went from one house to another to convince residents not to attend because Governor Gwendolyn Garcia was not going.

Capa is running for mayor under One Cebu against incumbent mayor Raymond Joseph Calderon. The mayor used to be an ally of the Garcias, but has since shifted alliances to Liberal Party to join his cousin, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.

“Way rason nga ako talikdan ang One Cebu kay maoy nakahatag og daghang kaayohan sa Samboan, dili ko ingrato, sila ang nibiya,” Capa said.

Former Danao City vice mayor Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV, a cousin of Calderon, also expressed dismay over the mayor’s non-appearance. Durano also took a hit at his cousin, Magpale, for leaving One Cebu reportedly without reason.

Durano, the running mate of One Cebu gubernatorial bet Pablo John Garcia, took the chance to inform the Samboan residents that he was the one responsible of putting the automated teller machine of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) near the police station in the town when he was director of the bank in 2009.

At that time, the nearest ATM was in Carcar City.

In his speech, Pablo John thanked the residents for seeing Capitol’s contribution in the town’s progress. He described Durano as someone who stands by his word.

Pablo John’s father, former Governor Pablo Garcia, recalled how he gave projects to Samboan even after Calderon and his twin brother, Board Member Peter John Calderon, too their oath with LP.

The mayor still reportedly asked him for a budget for a covered court in one barangay.

“Amigo, amigo, nganong gibiyaan mo man ako,” Pabling said, adding, that services for the town will continue if residents will vote for Capa in 2013.

“Kutob sa akong mahimo amo kanang himoon alang kaninyo nga nibarog alang sa tinuoray nga pagsilbi,” Pablo said.

He said that Capitol will remain with One Cebu, considering the support of all six districts in the province.

“Bisan unsaon nila paningkamot dili nila mailog ang Kapitolyo,” he said confidently.

The Calderons have denied the allegations that they attempted to stop the people from attending the activity. Peter John, in a text message to The Freeman, said he was not aware of the activity.

Criticism

The governor criticized Calderon for not observing proper protocol in welcoming the highest Capitol official to the town. She recalled that they always gathered at the sports center each time she visited the town before.

She thanked Bishop Emilio Bataclan and Fr. Mar Mejia for allowing them to use the plaza.

“Raymond, Raymond nganong gibiyaan mo ako,” the governor said, echoing her father’s words.

The Calderons were earlier reported as saying that the governor did not give the town projects, which prompted them to leave One Cebu. The governor belied this yesterday, saying the province has funded projects in the town amounting to P72 million since the time she was elected into office.

“Talikod talikod, ayaw lang ko himoang rason,” she said.

She emphasized how their family values personal relationships more than party alliances, pointing out that it was One Cebu that put Peter John in the Provincial Board and former Sangguniang Kabataan Provincial Federation president, ex-officio PB member Bea Merced Calderon.

Philippine Councilor’s League president, Carmen Remedios Meca, a family member of the Duranos and Calderons, also made it to the PB because of One Cebu, the governor said.

It was noticed yesterday that the chairs and tents used during the gathering came from Ginatilan town.

Aid

When she arrived after lunch, the governor first distributed school supplies at Samboan National High School. From the school, the group proceeded to the town plaza to inaugurate the public restroom.

The governor also turned over two multicabs for the office of the vice mayor, two wheelchairs for two disabled constituents, Philhealth cards to 1,237 families, group accident insurance for barangay officials, tanods, lupon members, barangay health workers and barangay nutrition scholars. – (FREEMAN)