CEBU Governor Hilario Davide III remains hopeful that Vice Governor Agnes Magpale will reconsider her decision to already retire from politics and instead seek reelection with him next year.
Davide said that Danao City Mayor Ramonito “Nito” Durano III is helping him convince Magpale not to quit politics yet.
Nito, who is chairman of the Barug Alang Sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud), the dominant political party in Cebu’s 5th district, is Vice Governor Magpale’s cousin.
But Magpale said in a separate interview that she already made up her mind to pursue her retirement plans.
“Dili na lage ko. Nagstorya na mi ni Mayor Nito. Dugay nami nagstorya, nagbalik-balik nako didto sa ilaha (I am no longer interested to seek reelection. I already spoke to Mayor Nito. We have discussed the matter on several occasion when I visited his residence),” said the 76-year-old Magpale.
“He (Mayor Durano) said he respects my decision,” Magpale added.
But while she will no longer seek reelection, Magpale said that she will continue to support Governor Davide and even help him scout for a running mate.
Magpale said that she already has a possible running mate for Davide, in mind, but refused to further discuss the matter.
The vice governor first announced her decision to already retire from politics early this year, after 32 years of government service.
She said that she wanted to spend more time with her children and grandchildren when her second term in office ends on June 30, 2019.