Secretary Mar Roxas in the Cebu Coliseum “gathering of friends” of the Liberal Party. In the front row are Rep. Luigi Quisumbing, Rep. Samsam Gullas, and former congressmen Ramonito Durano and Eduardo Gullas.
(CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas left Cebu yesterday after a rousing rally of supporters at the Cebu Coliseum, but there wasn’t time to resolve some pending local party issues.
For example: who will LP support for congressman in Cebu’s 1st district and the mayorship of Talisay City, where partymates or allies are vying for the posts?
Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale said they were supposed to talk about plans for the 2016 elections at a breakfast meeting with city and town mayors but Roxas’s schedule was too tight.
Roxas left for General Santos City before they could discuss LP’s lineup in the province, she said.
The deadline for filing of candidacies is in Oct. 16.
In the 1st district in south Cebu, San Fernando Mayor Antonio “Abe” Canoy wants to seek a seat in Congress next year. He will be challenging incumbent 1st District Rep. Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr. of Alayon, a local party allied with the Liberals.
(Gullas was present in the Coliseum rally dubbed “A gathering of friends” of President Aquino and Mar Roxas.)
READ: Roxas, Poe, Binay each eye Cebu’s 2.5 million voters
“This is not problematic but it should be clarified,” said Magpale.
The LP Cebu provincial chairman is Gov. Hilario Davide III, who is seeking reelection with Magpale next year.
In Talisay City, part of the lst district, Mayor Johnny de los Reyes and Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, both Liberals, want to run for mayor next year.
Magpale said this kind of quandary was common in other parts of the country: “I was told it’s all over the Philippines.”
Roxas, who is still Interior Secretary, had asked for a meeting at the airport to discuss the local LP lineup, said Magpale, but it didn’t materialize so she said they will wait for his cue when to meet.
Magpale said that with new party members, it was normal for these situations to arise.
“What’s important is that matters should be clarified, lines should be drawn, and things placed in order. I don’t think this is a problem because they are additions to the party,” she said.
After Cebu’s rally, a morale booster for the Liberals, Magpale said they want to give Roxas “a big majority” of votes in the 2016 polls.
Monday also saw visits of Vice President Jejomar Binay and Sen. Grace Poe for different forums in Cebu, whose 2.5 million voters make the province a vote-rich area.
Roxas was endorsed by President Aquino who brought top Cabinet secretaries to ensure his “daang matuwid” or straight path platform of good governance is continued.
The rally was attended by Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima (DOJ), 6th District Rep. Luigi Quisumbing,Cebu City Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa, Provincial Board member Celestino Martinez III and his father, Bogo City Mayor Junie Martinez, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro, Cebu City Councilor Margot Osmeña, and among others.