Davide, two Cebu mayors eyeing RDC-7 leadership

CEBU, Philippines - At least three allies of President Benigno Aquino III under the Liberal Party (LP) in Cebu are vying for the chairmanship of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Central Visayas.

The RDC-7 Secretariat has submitted the names of Gov. Hilario Davide III, Talisay City Mayor Johnny delos Reyes, and Danao City Mayor Ramon Durano III to the Office of the President for Aquino to choose from.

Davide and delos Reyes are new in their respective positions while Durano is a veteran, being a congressman, mayor, and vice mayor for several occasions already.

The other nominees for RDC-7 chairmanship are Bohol Gov. Edgardo Chatto (LP), Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II (National Unity Party) and Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagabarria (Nationalist People’s Coalition). 

In yesterday’s RDC full council meeting, private sector representative Emmanuel Rabacal questioned why only six local chief executives were nominated when they agreed in a previous meeting to submit all the names of four governors, all city mayors, and the mayor of Siquijor.

The RDC Secretariat also submitted the names of private sector representatives Argeo Melisimo of Bohol and Charles Sy of Cebu who would compete for the co-chairperson post.

Acting RDC secretary Rafael Tagalog, Jr. explained that only Davide, delos Reyes, and Durano have complied with the Oct. 31, 2013 deadline set for the submission of documentary requirements.

Tagalog said all nominees were informed about their nomination but only six have responded and submitted the requirements.

The nominees were required to submit their curriculum vitae, Ombudsman clearance, Civil Service Commission clearance, National Bureau of Investigation clearance, and Sandiganbayan clearance, if appropriate.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who earlier expressed interest to have another term as RDC chairman (2013-2016) was not among the nominees.

Although he was not Aquino’s original choice when he became RDC chairman in 2011, Rama became the RDC chairman sometime in 2011 after the death of then governor Augustin Perdices, who was first appointed by Aquino for the position last December 2, 2010.

Perdices died of stomach cancer last January 5, 2011 before he was able to take his oath as RDC-7 chairman for 2010-2013.

After Perdices’s death, another list of nominees was submitted which included Rama. (FREEMAN)