CEBU, Philippines - Some opposition leaders in Cebu’s first district, especially in Talisay City, who are members of the administration Liberal Party challenged its LP provincial head and gubernatorial candidate Hilario “Junjun” Davide III not to seal an alliance with the Alayon party of district Rep. Eduardo Gullas.
Talks have it that Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas, who is the LP president, has already instructed San Fernando Mayor Antonio “Abe” Canoy, who is the district LP head, to start the negotiation with the Alayon party especially in the fielding of its candidates.
Talisay City Councilor Romeo Villarante, however, did not want to comment on the reported order from the leadership of the LP but he urged Davide to make his own stand with regards to the alliance with the LP and the Alayon.
Villarante pointed out that an alliance between the Liberal Party and the Alayon Party of Gullas will not bring unity in the first congressional district but only confusion among its leaders and supporters.
“There will be total confusion,” Villarante said, adding that in the first district of Cebu, the five mayors are supporting the gubernatorial bid of Rep. Pablo John “PJ” Garcia, the rival of Davide in 2013 mid-term election.
The first district is composed of the cities of Talisay, Naga and Carcar, and the municipalities of Minglanilla, San Fernando and Sibonga. Of the six, only San Fernando is with the opposition.
In the 2010 elections, Davide won in the first district when he ran for governor against incumbent Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.
“I already told Davide during our meeting last Friday nga dili kita makig-alyansa ni Gullas,” Villarante said, adding that the merger will also mean confusion considering that there will be clashes between the LP candidates and LP-Alayon candidates that will be running in the next election.
City Councilor Valeriano “Val” Ylanan already manifested his interest to run for vice mayor to face incumbent Vice Mayor Alan Bucao.
If the party endorses him for the vice mayoral post, Ylanan said he will also be fielding his wife, barangay Linao captain Ofelia, to run for city council.
Ylanan admitted that running for vice mayor against the incumbent is not going to be easy as he will be expecting a demolition job and intrigues against him. (FREEMAN)