FOUR mayors of the second congressional district in south Cebu were sworn in yesterday as new members of the Liberal Party.
Those who defected from the One Cebu party were Mayors Mariano Blanco III of Ronda, Dean Michael Singco of Ginatilan, Nicomedes delos Santos of Alcoy and Ronald Allan Cesante of Dalaguete.
They were sworn in by LP Secretary-General Western Samar Rep. Mel Sarmiento in David’s Tea House Mandaue City.
The administration LP which had 29 Cebu mayors last year now has 33 out of 52 city and town mayors of Cebu.
Blanco told reporters he was no longer contented with the leadership of One Cebu headed by the Garcia family – former Rep. Pablo Garcia and daughter Gwen, congresswoman of the 3rd district.
Mayors Singco, delos Santos and Cesante said it was the right time to embrace a change in leadership.
“I see a big difference now. There is efficiency in running the government. Before, we had a hard time asking for assistance to give to our constituent,” said Singco in Cebuano.
The oath-taking was attended by Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas, Rep. Wilfredo Caminero of Cebu’s 2nd district, Gov. Hilario Davide III, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale and several Provincial Board members.
Meanwhile three mayors of Cebu’s first district belonging to the Alayon party of Eddie Gullas announced their support for the reelection of Governor Davide and the candidacy of LP’s possible standard bearer Mar Roxas.
Naga City Mayor Val Chiong showed reporters the text message of Rep. Gerald “Samsam” Gullas and his grandfather Eddie Gullas asking him to make sure the mayors of Minglanilla, Sibonga and Carcar would make their oath of commitment to LP. Chiong said they remain Alayon party members but are committed to support Davide and Roxas in 2016.
In the 2013 election, Alayon had an alliance with One Cebu.
“Unfortunately, I can’t be there to reaffirm our commitment to Sec. Mar. Please extend our commitment to him later this afternoon especially when Sec. Mar runs in 2016,” said Gullas’ text.
Gullas mentioned Carcar Mayor NiceApura, Sibonga Mayor Bonifacio Bacaltos and Minglanilla Mayor Lani Peña.