Alayon says Davide denial won’t affect support for polls

The Alayon Party reiterated that they are committed to support Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas and the reelection bid of Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale in 2016.

Their declaration of support came amid Davide’s denial that neither he nor Roxas appointed Rep. Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas as 1st district chairman of the LP in the province.

Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong called for a press conference at Naga City Hall yesterday morning where mayoralty candidates of Alayon and Rep. Gullas, among others, were present.

READ: Governor denies Gullas is Liberal Party’s new chief in Cebu’s 1st district

In a phone interview Chiong said while Davide’s denial didn’t affect the LP and Alayon alliance, Rep. Gullas had been “slightly hurt” by the governor’s statement.

“Honestly speaking, if you could have just been there, you could have just seen the face of the  congressman,” Chiong said.

READ: Gullas step back

Cebu Daily News tried but was unable to contact Rep. Gullas for comment.

Communication gap

Chiong said Alayon will continue reaching out to the Liberals.

Chiong said they were led to believe that Gullas had been told by Roxas that he is his official candidate.

But last Friday evening, Governor Davide, who chairs the LP in the province, said neither he nor Roxas appointed the 30-year-old representative and grandson of former Congressman Eduardo Gullas as district leader.

“For our part we reiterated our support. If there’s no declaration that it is Congressman Samsam that’s the official candidate, we will wait for their decision,” Chiong said.

He said there might have been a gap in communication.

Presumptuous

Chiong said they will not impose themselves on the LP and that their support is because of their belief in Roxas, Davide and Magpale.

With Gullas “stepping back,” Chiong said Alayon showed just how much support it was willing to give to LP.

Talisay City Mayor Johnny delos Reyes said Alayon shouldn’t have been presumptuous about Gullas’ role in the alliance.

“There’s nothing final because we relayed our problem to Secretary Mar,” he said.

Delos Reyes said LP will again meet on Sept. 10, this time with President Benigno Aquino III and Secretary Roxas. No venue has been set yet.

Free load

Last Friday evening, mayoralty candidates and incumbent mayors of the LP in the 1st district met to discuss the statement made by Gullas.

Also present were Gov. Davide and Vice Gov. Magpale who were at a media event in the Capitol earlier before going to the meeting.

Gullas also pushed for a “free zone” in the first district.

Delos Reyes said most of the mayors allied with LP as well as LP district chairman and San Fernando Mayor Antonio “Abe” Canoy are against it.

“Di mahimo na nga matawag og free zone kay among gibati gud nga usa na kakalampusan nga nahimo nila (Alayon) nga pagguba sa among grupo (A free zone cannot be feasible because we feel that it is one way for the Alayon to break our group),” he said.

Delos Reyes said under a free zone, Alayon will be able to “free-load” on the gains LP has made in the district.

Fickle-minded

The mayor said Gov. Davide has neither spoken for nor against the matter during the meeting.

“There isn’t much certainty if they will really even support our governor. They have a record of being fickle-minded. There are instances when they support this candidate now, then another tomorrow,” the mayor said in Cebuano.

Delos Reyes said this is the reason “we should be careful with that group of people (Alayon).”

Mayor Chiong said it is not Alayon’s goal to break LP apart.

“We don’t want LP to break apart. What we want is to help,” he said.

Should the LP really become divided in the district, Chiong said it is the “reality in politics” and that it will not be the first time it will happen in Cebu.

TAGS: Alayon, Cebu 1st district, election 2016, governance, Liberal Party, politics