Herrera backs Martinez as Lakas’ Cebu bet

CEBU — Former Sen. Ernesto Herrera, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) regional chairman, has endorsed former congressman and now Agriculture Undersecretary Celestino Martinez Jr. to President Arroyo as the party’s candidate for Cebu governor.

Herrera made the endorsement amid calls for a coalition between Lakas-CMD and the Nationalist People’s Coalition in the province. Martinez is affiliated with NPC.

This development brings new cracks in the otherwise fractious Cebu politics.

While Gwendolyn Garcia, daughter of Gov. Pablo Garcia, has gotten strong support as a Lakas gubernatorial candidate, Herrera said he has chosen to endorse Martinez perceiving him to be a "winnable" bet.

Herrera credited Martinez for having given the People Power Coalition’s senatorial candidates in 2001 70,000 votes in Cebu’s fourth district.

Compared to Martinez, Herrera said Gwendolyn still has to prove that she can deliver votes.

The Garcias, however, don’t seem ruffled with Herrera’s endorsement because Lakas mayors in Cebu have signed a manifesto supporting Gwendolyn.

Out of 30 Lakas mayors in Cebu, 22 are supporting Gwendolyn’s bid for governor.

Garcia said what is a more serious issue now is the signing of the proposed covenant between local groups of the Lakas-CMD and NPC.

The covenant signing that failed in Cebu last Wednesday will be taken up in Manila tomorrow. — Freeman News Service