Cebu LP celebrates anniversary, strengthens local ties

THE political pot in Cebu is starting to heat up more than a year before the next elections.

During the 66th anniversary of the Liberal Party (LP), local politicians in Cebu gathered and started recruiting new members to strengthen LP’s presence in Cebu.

Former Cebu City Councilor Hilario “Junjun” Davide III, LP provincial chapter president, called on their members to “strengthen the party in Cebu, and prepare for 2013 election.”

Davide led the exclusive luncheon celebration with about 300 party members.

Currently, Cebu Province is dominated by the One Cebu Party of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia. In the 2010 elections, One Cebu party was affiliated with the national party Lakas-KAMPI-CMD.

New faces were present in the LP party anniversary celebration held in its headquarters on Rahmann St., Cebu City last Wednesday.

These include Barili Mayor Teresito Marinas and former Dalaguete Mayor Andrade Alcantara. There were no realignments announced yet during the activity although talks have been circulating that LP is courting Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale to be Davide’s running mate in 2013s. Davide lost to Garcia in the 2010 elections.

Magpale, whose brother is a Cabinet secretary of the Aquino administration, belongs to the local Bakud Party of Cebu’s 5th congressional district dominated by the Durano family.

LP elected officials were also present including Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, Bogo City Mayor Junie Martinez and Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante.

Also in the anniversary celebration were former Congressmen Antonio Yapha and Celestino “Tining” Martinez III.

“I told them that the LP National is very interested in Cebu Province. That is why we need to strengthen our party here,” said Davide, son of former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.  Reporter Dale G. Israel