Pelaez promises to deliver votes for Grace Poe

PRESIDENTIAL aspirant Grace Poe has found an ally in Lapu-Lapu City mayoralty aspirant Efrain Pelaez Jr., who used to be a member of the Liberal Party but has now allied himself with the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

Pelaez said he believes in the advocacy of Poe, saying that the latter had guts, the heart and the potential and would be the best person to become president.

A rally organized by Pelaez in coordination with the NPC was held at the MEPZ 1 football field in Lapu-Lapu City graced by celebrities like Vic Sotto, Pauline Luna, Ruby Rodriguez and many others.

Half of the senatorial slate attended.

Pelaez estimated the crowd at 10,000 but according to Pusok Police Station Chief Wayne Magbanua, it was only a little over 1,000 and mostly curious bystanders more interested in the celebrities.

The football field can hold around 10,000 people. During the rally, CDN noticed that the field was less than half filled.

Poe reiterated her promise to bring more development projects to Cebu, free lunch in all public schools, and free college education in state colleges and universities for the poor, among others.

LP

On the other hand, Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Mar Roxas is set to woo voters in the Alayon-dominated 1st district on Friday, starting with a rally in Naga City in the morning.

Lawyer Ramil Abing, Cebu provincial assistant administrator, said Roxas will be accompanied by running mate Leni Robredo.

“There will also be senatorial bets, but nobody has confirmed yet,” he told reporters yesterday.

He said that the rally in Naga City will be from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Roxas and Robredo will also attend a rally in Mandaue City at 5 p.m., organized by LP’s mayoralty bet Luigi Quisumbing.

Abing met with Roxas’ advance party in Cebu City yesterday.

The LP standard-bearer will not drop by Talisay City, the only local government unit in the district led by a mayor from his own party.

Talisay City Mayor Johnny de los Reyes earlier withdrew his support for Roxas and Robredo after he was snubbed in a sortie in Mandaue City in February.

He recently endorsed Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for president, but he is technically still a member of the LP.

Naga City Councilor Vince del Mar, who was supposed to be LP’s mayoral bet in the city, also left the party for the same reason. He is now with the Garcia-led One Cebu.

Roxas is known to be closer, personally and politically, to the Gullas clan which dominates the district.

San Fernando Mayor Antonio Canoy, a former LP ally, bolted out of the party after Gov. Davide refused to give him a Certificate of Nomination last year to give way to reelectionist Rep. Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas.

Canoy is challenging Gullas for the 1st district congressional seat, this time, under the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

Party Conflicts

Although not a member of the LP, the Gullas-led Alayon party has declared support for the reelection bid of Davide and the presidential bid of Roxas.

The conflict between Alayon and LP members in the district has led provincial leadership to declare a free zone over the area.

Minglanilla, San Fernando, Sibonga, Naga City, and Carcar City are led by Alayon mayors.

Under the free zone, the LP will not campaign against Alayon bets in towns where the mayors are Alayon members.

Provincial Board Member Raul Alcoseba, LP’s mayoral bet in Carcar City, said he really doesn’t mind that the national LP favors Alayon over their local allies.

“I’d rather focus on my own campaign,” he said in a phone interview.

Alcoseba is challenging Carcar City Mayor Nicepuro Apura in the coming polls.

Even with the conflict in the district, the board member said he remains loyal to Roxas and Davide.