Pnoy to campaign for local bets, no LP free zone in Cebu – Roxas

CEBU, Philippines - The on-leave president of the Liberal Party, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, said Cebu is a not a free-zone as the LP leadership is strongly committed to supporting the Junjun Davide-Agnes Magpale tandem in the gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial race.

“Nobody, nobody but Davide and Magpale. Ang kandidato ni PNoy ay si Davide at Magpale,” Roxas said in a press conference here the other night, dispelling earlier rumors that Cebu will be a free-zone as far as in supporting candidates in the local level.

Roxas said that the coalition of the National Unity Party, which is headed by Deputy House Speaker and Cebu second district Rep. Pablo Garcia and LP is only for the support of President Benigno Aquino III’s senatorial candidates.

Garcia’s son, Cebu 3rd district Rep. Pablo John Garcia is running for governor under NUP which forms part of the administration coalition.

Presidential Political Adviser Ronald Llamas in an earlier statement also said that Aquino will openly support all LP candidates in the Province of Cebu from governor up to the last councilor.

LP provincial chairman Hilario “Junjun” Davide III said in the same press conference that in a talk with Aquino the other day in Malacañang, the latter has assured him and Magpale of support.

“In fact, he will be here to campaign for us. He will be here soon,” said Davide, who garnered more than 500,000 votes in the 2010 election.

Davide is confident of winning the gubernatorial seat this time, as he reported to Aquino that their campaign here is gaining strength.

“I am confident nga modaug ko,” said Davide adding they will continue to work hard as election draws near.

Davide promised that there will be no “below-the-belt” campaigning against his opponent as his campaign will be issue-based.

He also said that no government resources will be used to fuel their campaign.

Meanwhile, Roxas explained why LP chose Cebu South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña over Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to be the mayoralty bet in the 2013 elections.  Both Osmeña and Rama are LP members prior to the fall-out.

“Kaibigan ko si Mike. Hindi ko gusto ma-hurt siya. But there is an overwhelming preference for Tomas Osmeña,” he said adding personally that Osmeña was his friend first even prior to the “Noy-Mar” tandem.

Roxas added that it was the choice of the local LP members to make Osmeña the official mayoralty bet of LP.

He said that the LP leadership consulted with the barangay officials and civic leaders who turned out overwhelmingly for Osmeña.

“I understand that he (Rama) will be disheartened but pinakinggan lang ang tinig ng mga miyembro dito,” Roxas said, adding, “maka-Tommy ako. He is our first friend”.  —/BRP (FREEMAN)