THE Nacionalista Party is giving its allies in Cebu the freedom to decide who to support in next year’s presidential election while top party officials continue to discuss possible political alliances, said Las Piñas Representative Mark Villar.
Villar was in Cebu last Saturday afternoon to speak in a business forum. He said the Gullases of the first district of Cebu already told party leaders that their local group, Alayon, is throwing their support behind Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas.
“We always respect the decision of the individuals in the party. Whatever they decide nagpapaalam naman sila,” he said in an interview before he delivered his message at the Cebu Entrepreneurial and Investment Summit at a Cebu City mall.
Eduardo Gullas, former first district representative, earlier announced Alayon’s support for Roxas who is with the Liberal Party (LP) of President Benigno Aquino III.
Gullas said he is close to the Roxas family and that the interior secretary remains the better candidate having served three presidents and possesses an untainted government service record.
Roxas, Gullas pointed out, was responsible for the passage of the Cheap Medicines Law and for bringing the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) to Cebu.
Villar said Nacionalista Party leaders are discussing with different political groups, “but wala pa kaming sure decision.”
He said it is still too early to predict alliances since only Vice President Jejomar Binay has formally announced his political plans.
Party members will also have to discuss their options should allies like Senators Allan Peter Cayetano, Antonio Trillanes and Bongbong Marcos pursue plans to seek higher office.