One Cebu kicks off sorties

CEBU, Philippines —The ruling One Cebu Party yesterday kicked off the 45-day local campaign with the proclamation of their local candidates in 16 municipalities in southern Cebu.

Their campaign started with a Mass at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Ana in Barili Town with Rev. Father Renante Rebanes blessing the One Cebu candidates, led by party standard bearer Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Some local candidates from Mandaue City led by Mandaue Lone District Representative Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano Dizon and mayoralty candidate Jonkie Ouano and his slate, Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado and her slate, Cordova Mayor Cesar Suan and his slate, as well as officials from Tuburan and Toledo City joined the proclamation of Barili candidates.

Reelectionist Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. and Francis Tolentino, former senator Manny Pacquiao and former Department of the Interior and Local Government secretary Benhur Abalos joined the event. Also present were vice gubernatorial candidate Glenn Soco and Ako Bisaya Second Nominee Carissa Garcia.

From Barili, the governor and the senatoriables proceeded to Sibonga, where local candidates were also proclaimed by the governor.

She likewise endorsed the senatorial bid of Pacquiao, Revilla, Tolentino, and Abalos, all belonging to the administration slate.

Revilla said he was happy to come back to Cebu as he owes the Cebuanos for letting him win whenever he ran for senator.

From Sibonga, they went to Dalaguete, Alcoy, Boljoon, Oslob, Santander, and Samboan, all except for Revilla, who had to leave, but left his representatives, movie actress Beauty Gonzales and former child star Niño Muhlach, to continue with his campaign.

In a speech, Pacquiao said he knows how difficult life is due to unemployment, high cost of hospitalization, and lack of housing. With these challenges, he vowed to push for the passage of bills to generate more jobs, free medical services, and affordable housing.

As of 6:30 PM yesterday, Garcia and her slate still had a schedule to keep in the towns of Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Alegria, Badian, Moalboal, Alcantara, Ronda, and Dumanjug.

The other night, Mayor Suan and his Asenso Cordovahanon slate conducted their opening salvo. In his speech, Suan said now that Cordova is a first-class municipality, he expects it to become a city in eight years.

Suan’s grand proclamation rally was also graced by the governor, Ako Bisaya Partylist Representative Sonny Lagon, and his wife, Cebu 6th District Representative Daphne Lagon.

The Cordova Sports Complex was jam-packed by Suan’s thousands of supporters, some of whom went home after winning raffle prizes. (CEBU NEWS)