Who will get LMP Cebu presidency?

CEBU, Philippines -As LP and One Cebu have 22 allies each, crossing of political lines seen

 To elect the new president of the League of Municipalities in the Philippines (LMP) – Cebu Chapter would not follow which political party has the number, said Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Alan Cesante of One Cebu Party.

Cesante said the mayors are expected not to follow political affiliations in the LMP elections.

“It is more of collegial decision of the mayors kinsa tong tan-aw nga medyo maka-unify sa mga interests sa mga mayors,” Cesante said.

Cesante made the statement following questions if One Cebu Party led by third district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia would toss up a candidate for the LMP presidency.

In the last May 13 elections, it showed that the ruling Liberal Party of the administration has 22 town mayors while the One Cebu Party also has 22, while one independent won in the elections.

The four LP, two One Cebu and one independent city mayors are not part of LP but of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP).    â€œDi nato i-picture nga partisan ang LMP election basin og mabutang nga awkward position ang uban,” he said. (Let’s not put partisan color in the LMP elections as this might put some at an awkward position.)

Cesante said that One Cebu has yet to talk about the LMP elections, even as they already hear some of their colleagues to be interested to the position.

Tuburan Mayor Democrito “Aljun” Diamante has already expressed his intention to run this time after he refused the offer of LP in 2010 considering his being a neophyte as mayor.

Another contender is Samboan Mayor Joseph Raymond Calderon, also of LP.

The two are reportedly awaiting the endorsement of the LP provincial head, Governor Hilario Davide III.

Cesante did not say whether any of the two mayors have already approached them for support.

Incumbent LMP president, re-elected Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia of One Cebu, has yet to declare his intention to seek re-election to the position.

In 2010, Mayor Garcia was unchallenged as LMP Cebu president and was subsequently unanimously elected executive vice president for internal affairs of the LMP National Executive Committee.

It was reportedly the first time since the league was established in 1991 that a Cebuano holds such a high position. (FREEMAN)