'Declare the first district a free zone'

CEBU, Philippines - Why not declare the first district a free zone in the 2013 midterm elections if the Liberal Party (LP) and Alayon Party of first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas can’t come up with a unified ticket?

This was the suggestion of Cebu City Councilor Raul Alcoseba, who will vie for a seat in the provincial board representing the LP in the first district.

San Fernando town Mayor and LP district chairman Antonio “Abe” Canoy and other LP stalwarts are opposed to the proposed alliance of the LP and the Alayon Party.

“Kung dili gyud magkakuyog ang LP ug Alayon, ato na lang himoon nga freezone ang maong district,” Alcoseba said in an interview with The Freeman. 

Canoy already said the coalition with the Liberal Party and the Alayon Party to ensure a unified ticket in the local level will never materialize. 

The first district of Cebu Province has six local governments, namely, the cities of Talisay, Naga, and Carcar, and the municipalities of Minglanilla, Sibonga, and San Fernando.

Alcoseba, who was born in Poblacion I in Carcar City, will run under the Liberal Party of Hilario “Junjun” Davide III in next year’s election.

A source from LP said Gullas has difficulty in convincing his mayors in the first district considering that the mayors are already committed to the gubernatorial bid of third district Rep. Pablo John “PJ” Garcia. 

If Gullas’s party aligns with LP, the congressman must endorse Davide and Alcoseba for the gubernatorial and provincial seats, respectively. 

Alcoseba, for his part, said that if he gets elected, he will prioritize the welfare of senior citizens. 

Like in Cebu City where the senior citizens get financial assistance from the government, Alcoseba suggests that all senior citizens be given financial assistance. 

“I’m looking for more benefits for our senior citizens and more financial assistance to them,” Alcoseba said. 

He said, “I really want to help the province. Whatever I have done good in the City of Cebu, I think I can do it in the first district and even in the entire province of Cebu.” - THE FREEMAN