The political developments in the Liberal Party in Cebu province are getting more interesting especially in the first district.
In his recent visit to Cebu, Interior Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas was believed by some quarters to have declared his support for Rep. Samsam Gullas of Alayon as district chairman, displacing a loyal LP leader, San Fernando Mayor Abe Canoy.
Based on Roxas’ body language, it was not difficult to see that the Liberal Party would end up supporting the plan of former congressman Eduardo Gullas of Alayon to run for Talisay city mayor, thereby displacing loyal LP members Mayor JVR and Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante.
Both JVR and Villarante already announced their intention to run for the Talisay mayorship next year. The political situation in Cebu’s first district is going to be a headache for the Liberals. The way I see it, there will be a breakup in the first district because the recent development has resulted in some disgruntled members.
Gov. Junjun Davide is placed in a difficult spot as he is challenged to resolve the problem as LP Cebu province chairman.
Apparently, loyalty to the party has not been given a premium by the party leadership. This happened before when the party chose to support in Danao City’s mayoral race, Ramonito Durano of Bakkud instead of Don Durano, a loyal LP member. Lito Durano was not even a member of the Liberal Party.
The same thing happened in Cebu City when LP junked a registered member, Mayor Mike Rama, in favor of former congressman Tommy Osmeña in the 2013 election. The rest is history.
I think the party places a premium on political survival in choosing the candidates it will support.
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Customs Commissioner Bert Lina has implemented a new policy that requires all balikbayan boxes of Filipinos abroad to be opened for inspection for possible smuggled drugs and other contraband.
The policy drew a lot of criticisms from OFWs around the world. After some legislators criticized it as well, President Aquino stepped in and directed Commissioner Lina not to open the boxes.
Lina modified his policy by ordering that all balikbayan boxes go through the x-ray machines and if there are suspicious items, the box should be opened.
Many Filipinos are against the opening of the boxes because they worry that the Bureau of Customs would pilfer the contents. With due respect to the Customs Bureau, it has no track record of honesty especially when it comes to big-time smuggling. People can’t understand why the bureau is after balikbayan boxes packed with stuff bought with the hard-earned money of Filipinos abroad for their loved ones when the bureau can’t stop massive smuggling in our country. Go after the smugglers and leave the balikbayan boxes alone.
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I am hoping Cebu doesn’t suffer the same traffic chaos in Metro Manila which has gone from bad to worst. The numerous flyovers there haven’t helped ease traffic congestion.
I hope the bill proposing a Metro Cebu Development Authority authored by Rep. Luigi Quisumbing gets passed into law. This would help local government units in Metro Cebu to work together, coordinate and come up with effective strategies to address traffic problems in Metro Cebu.
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