Seven new members of the Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) were sworn in by party officials at the Danao City Civic Center yesterday.
Liloan Vice Mayor Lucelito Pilapil with six councilors—one from his town, while the others were from Catmon, Tudela and Pilar—took their oath before Bakud president Ramon “Red” Durano VI and Danao City Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III, chairman emeritus of Bakud Party.
The Danao-based Bakud is the main ally of the Liberal Party in Cebu for the 2016 elections, supporting reelection bids of Gov. Hilario Davide III of LP and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale of Bakud.
The oath taking of new members was one of the highlights of the party convention and nomination of candidates in all towns of Cebu’s 5th district.
Rep. Joseph Felix Mari “Ace” Durano of the 5th district, Governor Davide, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale and Provincial Board members representing the 5th district Jude Thaddeus Durano-Sybico and Miguel Antonio Magpale were also present.
After the oath taking, candidates were proclaimed for each town.
Vice Mayor Durano said the gathering showed that they were all united.
“I’m very proud to say that the 5th district of Cebu strongly supports the party because we deliver what we promise and what we are responsible for to the people of our district,” he said.
Vice Governor Magpale congratulated the party for “staying strong, united, vibrant and the first to have a party convention and proclamation of candidates in Cebu.”
Davide, for his part, said before Liberal Party came, Bakud Party was already there establishing their own “Daang Matuwid.”
He also asked the Bakud Party members to support LP’s standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas.