Diamante begins quest for Congress

CEBU, Philippines — As part of his announced bid for a seat in Congress, Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante has started the groundwork by taking the lead in organizing local chapters of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in the Cebu's third district.

Diamante hosted a basic PDP-Laban membership seminar last Monday, a pre-requisite to becoming a bonafide member of the party. It was attended by around 200 incumbent and former officials in Cebu and other individuals.

Lapu-Lapu City officials led by Mayor Paz Radaza and two councilors from Daanbantayan were present during the seminar.

PDP-Laban Cebu provincial president Nixon "Jojo" Dizon said he got instruction from the national office to conduct the basic membership seminar (BMS) as requested by Diamante.

Interestingly, Dizon said Daphne Lagon, who is Diamante's political rival, is the recognized PDP-Laban municipal president in Tuburan.

Dizon said Diamante's expected opponent in next year's elections' race to a congress seat in the third district, former congressman Pablo John Garcia, has also requested for a BMS.

Garcia's sister and third district Representative and Deputy Speaker Gwendolyn is the district chairman of PDP-Laban.

"Ingon sa Presidente nga everbody is welcome sa Partido, regardless unsa imong partido sa una," Dizon said.

In the case of Tuburan, Dizon said, a convention of both Diamante and Lagon's councils will be conducted to determine who will prevail.

"We are just doing our job nga ako caretaker ra ko sa PDP diri sa Cebu. Neutral ko, wa koy political affiliation," Dizon added.

Among the subjects tackled during the seminar was the proposed shift to a federal form of government.

Davao City Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, the national president of Philippine Councilors League, spoke about the benefits of federalism.

Diamante is the national chairman of a federalism movement.

Dayanghirang said he was with Diamante three weeks before the presidential election supporting the candidacy of President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Di namo siya biyaan kay nakatabang man siya namo," Dayanghirang said.

Dimante said PDP-Laban in the third district, as far as his group is concerned, is already in place.

While most of the participants of the BMS came from Tuburan, other municipalities in the third district were also represented.

Asturias delegation was led by former mayor vice mayor Joel Dumdum. There were also five former barangay captains from Balamban.

Barili was led by Vice Mayor Teresito Mariñas; Pinamungajan was led by Vice Mayor Honeylette Yapha-Lingad; while none from Toledo City came. (FREEMAN)