CEBU, Philippines - Cebu 3rd District Representative Pablo John “PJ” Garcia, who is running for governor under the National Unity Party (NUP), said they would need to discuss further the “No free zone” in Cebu announcement made by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas.
Roxas, who took a leave as president of the Liberal Party when President Benigno Aquino appointed him as DILG secretary, said last Saturday in a press conference that there would be no free zone in the province as Aquino will campaign for LP’s gubernatorial and vice-gubernatorial candidates, Hilario “Junjun” Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.
Roxas had said that the coalition of LP and NUP covers only the support of the local party for the LP senatorial lineup. But Garcia said that is not their understanding of the partnership between LP and NUP.
“He is speaking in behalf of LP, but he cannot be speaking in behalf of the partnership.”
“Mu-agree mi to carry their senatorial slate but ila mi kontrahon by campaigning against us? It doesn’t make sense. Why would we enter into an agreement na amo suportahan ang national slate, unless sa local adunay agreement pud na kung dili equity ang incumbent o kung wala incumbent then free zone. That is how we understand the agreement to be.” (We will carry their senatorial slate but they will be campaigning against us? It doesn’t make any sense. Why would we enter this agreement? Unless the agreement would include that in the local scene, there is the equity of the incumbent or if there is no incumbent, then it would be a free zone.)
Garcia said that they would discuss this concern with NUP national.
NUP Cebu is headed by Deputy House speaker and Cebu second district representative Pablo Garcia.
Pablo John will be seeking the gubernatorial post to replace outgoing Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who is on her last term. Governor Garcia is seeking a seat in Congress, to replace her brother in the third district. (FREEMAN)