Winston on Binay’s reconciliation moves: Thank you, but no

By: Victor Anthony V. Silva March 23,2016 - 10:29 PM

WHILE he was grateful for the continued support of Vice President Jejomar Binay, One Cebu chairman and gubernatorial bet Winston Garcia stands firm on his party’s decision to cut ties with the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

“We broke up to allow them (UNA) to have more leeway in the province. They are now free as a bird,” he told Cebu Daily News over the phone yesterday.

Garcia said he maintains a good personal relationship with Binay, but there could no longer be a partnership between UNA and One Cebu.

The breakup, which happened just a month after the alliance was formed, was announced by One Cebu on Monday.

The Garcia-led party accused UNA of conducting sorties all over the province without prior consultation with One Cebu and cavorting with their opponents.

Binay, in a statement last Tuesday, said he still considers Garcia as his best bet for Cebu governor despite the announcement.

The other gubernatorial bet is reelectionist Governor Hilario Davide III of Liberal Party (LP).

“They want to maximize votes (for Binay). They probably believe they won’t achieve this if they stick with One Cebu,” he said.

Garcia said there is no need for a reconciliation because they never got into a fight in the first place.

One Cebu leaders are still discussing their next move, deliberating on whether to declare a free zone for presidential candidates or endorse one.

Some members have openly declared their preference for Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez admitted that he was elated when Garcia announced the breakup because there’s a chance that the party would now support Duterte.

“I would be a liar if I said I wasn’t happy with the breakup,” he told CDN.

If, however, One Cebu decides to reconcile with UNA, Ramirez said he would be a “good soldier” and abide by the party’s decision.

Asturias Mayor Allan Adlawan, another vocal Duterte supporter allied with One Cebu, declined to comment on the possibility of a reconciliation with UNA.

“That is beyond me now. That is between (Garcia and Binay),” he said.

Asked if he was reprimanded after he declared his support for Duterte, Adlawan said he wasn’t.

The mayor said he asked third district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia, founder of One Cebu and founding member of UNA, whether she saw his statement on Duterte in the papers.

“She said yes and then just smiled,” said Adlawan. The congresswoman was in Asturias last Tuesday for a gathering of barangay health workers in the third district.

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TAGS: Cebu, election, One Cebu, politics, UNA, United Nationalist Alliance, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Winston Garcia

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