CEBU, Philippines - Kugi Uswag Sugbo (Kusug) of former Mayor Alvin Garcia and the Nacionalista Party of Senator Manuel Villar have formally forged an alliance for the May 10 elections.

The deal was made at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel yesterday in the presence of other Cebu political leaders, which fueled speculations that more would be coming out to support Villar.

Garcia, who is running for mayor, said that among all the other presidential candidates, they found it fitting to support Villar’s bid, who they strongly believe can change this country and help us move forward.

“Villar is the most capable and the most competent candidate. I am proud allying with Villar,” Garcia said.

Villar in his speech during the event said that he is likewise proud to be aligned with the Kusug party.

Villar and Garcia both denied that there is a “P65 million” financial consideration that made this alliance possible.

“There is no financial arrangement. He is for real. He will be a good president. We believe he can handle and face the problems of the country once elected as president,” Garcia said.

Villar said that his political enemies have been trying to picture him as somebody who can only get support if he uses his money.

“Mahirap kumita ng pera, they are trying to paint that I am buying everybody. That is their campaign strategy. They just can’t accept that people are supporting me because they see me as someone who has the competence and track record to speak of,” Villar said.

Villar added that it cannot be denied that he came from a poor family, a reason why his campaign slogan, “Tapusin ang Kahirapan” became a target among his political opponents.

“Ako ay galing sa mahirap at totoong galing ako sa mahirap. Hindi katulad nang iba diyan na nagpapanggap na mahirap pero sila ay mga haciendero at nanghingi pa nang piso-piso,” Villar said.

Villar said that poverty can be eradicated in this country.  Although it is difficult and would take a longtime, it is not impossible.

He said some people, especially his critics, are trying to create a mindset that there is no way for the poor to get out of poverty.

“Kung naniniwala ako na ako ay hindi na aangat dahil akoy mahirap, I will not be where I am now. We can and we will eradicate poverty,” Villar said as he received a resounding applause from Kusug supporters attending the event.

To his critics who continue to hit his slogan, he said, “Kung hindi ninyo kaya yan, bakit kayo kumandidato?”

Meanwhile, in an ambush interview after his speech, Villar admitted that he had a closed door meeting with some of Cebu’s congressmen and some mayors at the same hotel.

When asked whether the presence of the congressmen signified their support for his candidacy, Villar did not categorically answer the question, but said all of them are his friends.

Second District Rep. Pablo Garcia, who is the father of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, said that Villar did not persuade them verbally to shift allegiance to him, but “Villar’s body language said that he is.”

Rep. Garcia however said that Villar is an old friend and their meeting was very pleasant.

Governor Garcia is the local party chairman of One Cebu, which had already declared its support for the candidacy of Gilberto Teodoro in the presidential race.

Rep. Garcia said that he is a party man and he is still with One Cebu.

Other Cebu congressman, who attended the closed door meeting according to Garcia were First District Rep. Eduardo Gullas, Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia, Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon and Sixth District Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz.

Aside from Gullas, who is supporting Villar’s candidacy, the three other representatives are members of One Cebu.

“He (Villar) respects our own respective position. I belong to One Cebu and as of now it is supporting Teodoro. In fact Teodoro will attend the One Cebu grand opening salvo on March 26,” Rep. Pablo Garcia added.

The Freeman tried to contact the four other congressmen for more comments, but they were not available as of press time.

With this recent development, talks are now circulating that majority of Cebu’s congressmen may shift their support for Villar instead of Teodoro.

“Ako naman kaibigan ko silang lahat. Ako ay umiikot sa buong Pilipinas at nilalapitan ko ang mga leaders natin na sana suportahan nila ako,” Villar said.

Former Mayor Garcia admitted though that the one who spent for yesterday’s launching and lunch was Winston Garcia, brother of the governor and the president of Government Service Insurance System.—/NLQ   (FREEMAN NEWS)