JVR asks Rama if he can join UNA after LP snub
Talisay City Mayor Johnny delos Reyes admitted to talking with Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who is the coordinator of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) party of Vice President Jejomar Binay here in the Visayas.
Delos Reyes said it was Rama who called him on Thursday last week after the apparent snub they received from Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Mar Roxas.
He said Rama had advised them to drop support for the national candidates of the LP but remain LP in the local level to avoid complication.
The Talisay City mayor remembered Rama being persuasive on telling him to go and support Binay.
But he said he didn’t immediately decide on it since he wanted to take time in coming up with a decision.
Delos Reyes said they will come up with a decision on Friday on who between Binay and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte they will be supporting.
Delos Reyes said they might not also endorse any national candidate as they do not really need national machinery.
Delos Reyes emphasized that he has not talked with any LP leaders.
But Rama said that it was Delos Reyes who called him, asking if he can be included in UNA’s slate.
Rama explained that he took Delos Reyes’s call but told him (Delos Reyes) that he will call back.
When Rama called back, Delos Reyes asked if he is being considered to be part of UNA and if Rama will approve it.
“I said, partner, I have to check first because first and foremost, we already have a seemingly complete slate in the province,” Rama added.
Delos Reyes earlier said he’s withdrawing his support for LP standard-bearer Mar Roxas and his running mate Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo after he was snubbed during the LP’s rally in Mandaue City last week.
Roxas acknowledged former congressman Eduardo Gullas and his grandson first district Rep. Samsam Gullas during the rally, but didn’t include Delos Reyes.
Gullas is running against Delos Reyes as Talisay City mayor.
But with UNA’s recent collaboration with the local One Cebu Party, the national party has to support the latter’s slate in the province, Rama said.
Talisay City Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante is also running for mayor under One Cebu although he’s also connected with the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) supporting Senators Grace Poe and Chiz Escudero.
“So I called Winston and we discussed and Winston told me, which I know between the lines, that it will never be good having two UNA (candidates) in the area of
Talisay. We only have one UNA under Villarante,” Rama said.
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