Tuburan political rivals start mending fences

CEBU, Philippines – Political rivals in Tuburan have started to unite for the benefit of their constituents and to also remove their town from the list of hotspots during elections.

 Tuburan Vice Mayor Democrito “Aljun” Diamante expressed his sincere gratitude to Ako Bisaya Partylist Rep. Sonny Lagon and his group, headed by the latter’s wife, Daphne, for visiting during the Sangguniang Bayan session last Monday.

“This act would surely be a beginning of a united Tuburan. ‘Panaghiusa Para sa Katawhang Tuburanon’ Daghan kaayong salamat kaninyong tanan,” Diamante posted on Facebook with picture of them together.

Asked what transpired during the visit, Diamante told The Freeman that it was all about cooperation for Tuburan.

“Tinabangay ra gyud para sa Tuburan,” he said.

Diamante said they offered an office space for Ako Bisaya PL to serve the people of Tuburan as well as office space for Third District Rep. Pablo John “PJ” Garcia of whom Daphne is the focal person.

The Lagons are allies of the Garcias of 1Cebu Party.

“Kaloy-an intawn sa Ginoo ug matinuod tanan nga plano dili nasad mi ma-hotspot,” said Diamante referring to the past three elections.

Daphne refused to issue a comment on the said meeting.

Once Tuburan is united, Diamante said it would be very advantageous for the candidates of the province and the district in the next elections.

In 2013, Diamante won for second term as mayor against former mayor Rose Marie Suezo while his brother, now Mayor Danilo “Danny” Diamante, won as vice mayor against Daphne.

The vice mayor and Daphne are relatives since the latter’s mother was a Diamante.

In 2016, Aljun won by a slim margin of 46 votes against Daphne in the mayoralty race. Daphne filed an election protest before the court but the protest was not resolved with finality until the May 2019 elections.

The court ruled that Daphne won 93 votes against Diamante but the Commission on Elections Second Division issued a writ of preliminary injunction enjoining RTC Judge Hermes Montero to cease and desist from proceeding the election protest.

Daphne ran for mayor last May elections but lost to Aljun’s brother, Danny. It was also in the last election when Sonny got a seat in Congress as partylist representative. /FPL (FREEMAN)