The One Cebu party led by Winston Garcia revealed its initial lineup on Sunday. His vice gubernatorial bet is Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, former 6th district congresswoman. Garcia said he chose the physician from vote-rich Mandaue City to balance off the votes from Danao City, where reelectionist Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale hails. By his computation, votes of Mandaue City would be enough to offset what the Liberal Party will win in the 5th district, especially in Danao City since Camotes Islands in the past elections did not give the Duranos, including Magpale, a victory.
In Liloan town, still in the 5th district, the wife of Mayor Duke Frasco, Christina, is running for mayor with Duke as her running mate. The tandem looks unbeatable there.
In initial discussions, Duke would have run for Congress against incumbent Rep. Ace Durano. I guess Duke begged off to partner with his beloved wife.
In the 1st district, the group of Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante and Danny Caballero, who bolted the Liberal Party, are supporting One Cebu’s Garcia-Ruiz ticket in the province.
But Winston will have to wait until the last day of the filing of certificates of candidacy in order to finalize One Cebu’s lineups in the 1st district and others.
Whoever isn’t chosen by the Liberal Party will likely go to Garcia’s camp, like San Fernando Mayor Abe Canoy, who is just waiting for the final decision of the Liberal Party’s national leaders as to who will be fielded for the 1st district congressional race – Rep. Samsam Gullas of Alayon, who happens to be the personal choice of Mar Roxas, or Mayor Canoy.
In the 2nd district, Rep. Wilfredo Caminero is going up against former Provincial Board Member Dayday Celis of One Cebu.
In the 3rd district, Provincial Board Member Gigi Sanchez of the Liberal Party is running against Rep. Gwen Garcia.
In that district, Toledo City Mayor Sonny Osmeña is seeking reelection under UNA. He attended the party’s Visayas launching in Cebu City last Friday to support Jejomar Binay.
In the 4th district, One Cebu is backing the reelection of Rep. Benhur Salimbangon against a Martinez of the Liberal Party.
The Duranos are expected to dominate the 5th district though they are now facing formidable opposition there. Rep. Ace Durano is still the man to beat for the House seat.
Winston Garcia is expected to come up with a complete slate with 5th district coordinator Richie Wagas helping the opposition get organized to challenge the Duranos.
The 6th district race will be interesting now that the Ouanos are supporting Winston Garcia with Nerry Soon-Ruiz as his running mate. Ruiz is going up against former vice mayor Carlo Fortuna of the Liberal Party.
In Lapu-Lapu City, the Radazas face a challenge in Jun Pelaez for mayor with Rene Espina as his congressional candidate under the Liberal Party.
For the 6th congressional district seat in Cordova town, former mayor Celsie Sitoy is running with a complete slate down to councilors.
In Cordova town, unless the issue is resolved, a Sitoy is running against another Sitoy. Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy intends to run for mayor under the Liberal Party against his sister, the vice mayor. I heard that their father Mayor Adelino Sitoy is throwing his support behind his daughter.
Arleigh is running under the Liberal Party as one of the original party members in Cebu. Apparently it’s not smooth sailing for the Liberal Party in the province which faces a serious challenge from strong opposition in One Cebu, which has the political backing of the National People’s Coalition of businessman Danding Cojuangco.
Gov. Junjun Davide and Vice Gov. Magpale have to work double time to ensure victory. While the Liberal Party may have a complete lineup in the municipalities, the same is true with One Cebu, many of whose candidates are former mayors and board members who can’t be taken lightly.