Binghay, Gica eyed for Vice Mayors League prexy

CEBU, Philippines - Two names have surfaced as possible candidates for the presidency in the upcoming elections of the Vice Mayors League in the Philippines (VMLP) - Cebu chapter.

Yesterday, 10 vice mayors from all over the province paid a courtesy visit on Governor Hilario Davide III.

According to Davide, the vice mayors present were pushing for Balamban Vice Mayor Rosario Binghay to run for the position.

“They would prefer daw a candidate na second or third termer,” said Davide.

Binghay is on her second term as vice mayor of Balamban and is currently the regional president of the VMLP.

All 10 of the vice mayors who visited Davide yesterday were from the One Cebu Party of 3rd district Representative Gwendolyn Garcia.

But the vice mayors have stressed to Davide that they are non-partisan. “Non partisan man gyud ni sila, walay political color,” said Davide.

Binghay did not confirm that she is running for the post and only said that they were there for a courtesy visit.

If she will push through with the presidency of VMLP-Cebu chapter, she would be running against Dumanjug Vice Mayor Gungun Gica.

Gica confirmed in a phone interview with The Freeman that he has expressed to Davide and other vice mayors his interest in the presidency of the VMLP-Cebu chapter.

“That’s true. I expressed my intention and interest didto sa Governor,” confirmed Gica.

Although a neophyte in VMLP and admitting that there are a lot more senior than him that may be interested to run for the presidency of the VMLP-Cebu chapter, Gica said he is confident he can do well in the position.

Gica said that Davide have not pledged his support to him but advised him to go around the province to associate himself with the other vice mayors.

So far, he said he is grateful for the pledge of support he has gotten from 21 vice mayors of the province. Gica said he has spoken with Danao City Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III who reportedly promised him of his support in the 5th district.

Gica is under the Liberal Party with Davide and are allies of the Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya party of the Durano’s.

However, Gica said he informed Davide that if there are any other vice mayors coming from LP and are more senior than him who is also eying the position, he said he is willing to slide down.

He revealed though that he has spoken with Binghay, who is a relative, and have informed her of his keenness to run for VMLP president.

Gica said he called Binghay and asked her if indeed she is interested in running for VMLP-Cebu Chapter president to which the latter said no but then the vice mayors under the One Cebu party are pushing for her.

He said he asked permission from Binghay to seek for the VMLP Cebu chapter presidency and assured her that he would do well.

Binghay, said Gica, told her that she will speak with her counterparts in the One Cebu party.

Although they have only met once, Gica said he has high respect for his aunt and denied that the VMLP position would strain any relationship they have.

“I don’t think so. My respect for her would always remain. Blood is thicker than politics.”

Gica was a former councilor of Dumanjug and also ran for mayoral post last 2010 but lost. He won the vice-mayoral post last May 13, 2013. — (FREEMAN)