CEBU, Philippines - The Durano-led Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) Party in the fifth district of Cebu will wait until after the filing of certificates of candidacy before making a decision whom to support for president in 2016 elections.
There has been speculation that Bakud Party will back the tandem of Senator Grace Poe and Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero after their visit to Danao City last week.
“For president, vice president and senators, Bakud will wait after the filing to decide so we will know who the official candidates are,” said the party’s vice-chairman, Representative Joseph Felix Mari “Ace” Durano.
Durano and his brother, Danao City Vice Mayor Ramon “Red” Durano VI, the party’s chairman, both reiterated that Bakud will be supporting the re-election bids of Governor Hilario Davide III of Liberal Party and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale of Bakud. LP and Bakud forged alliance in 2013 elections.
The Duranos made the statement following rumors that one from their clan would run for governor or in tandem with another candidate for governor against Davide after the meeting with Poe and Escudero.
Poe-Escudero tandem is reportedly backed by the Nationalists People’s Coalition (NPC) where Ace is a member. Former Provincial Board member and lawyer Winston Garcia is reportedly running for governor under NPC and One Cebu Party.
However, some One Cebu members are allies of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Jejomar Binay who is also running for president.
Garcia is set to announce his runningmate on Sunday during the general assembly of One Cebu Party. — (FREEMAN)