LP ties with One Cebu solons pose ‘big problem’ in 2013

Some old guards of the  Liberal Party (LP) in Cebu are uneasy about an  alliance at the national level with their local rivals and the implications for the 2013 election.

Bogo City Mayor Celestino Junie” Martinez   yesterday said this coalition would be a big problem later for Cebu LP’s gubernatorial candidate  Hilario “Junjun” Davide III and  the local chapter.

Congressmen in the  One Cebu party of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia are  part of the National Unity Party (NUP) that has a coalition  with the LP in the Lower House.

“For example, former senator Sonny Osmeña’s disillusionment with Davide  is a significant loss of support. If Davide can’t deal with that, then the Manila LP should intervene and solve the problem,” Martinez said in a news conference.

Martinez said the  LP Cebu  wants their Manila counterparts to attend to these  concerns.

As early as now, said Martinez, the LP-Cebu province should position itself strategically but can’t do so because the   LP-NUP coalition gets in the way.

Martinez  said  he supports Davide.

However, he said he isn’t updated on talks between the former Cebu City councilor and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale on a possible tandem in 2013.

One Cebu’s Rep. Pablo John Garcia the  3rd district said the NUP has an agreement with One Cebu to adopt all its local officials.

Martinez, meanwhile,  said the LP Cebu is lucky that One Cebu hasn’t positioned itself early as they are still  looking for a gubernatorial candidate  to follow  Gwen when she ends her third term in 2013.

“The Garcias want the next governor to come from them  (the family) or someone married to the Garcias. That’s their problem,” he said.

On the other hand, Pablo John said Martinez and LP  Cebu face worse problems because they are divided into three wings headed by Sonny Osmeña, Junjun Davide and Cebu City.

“I think they have bigger problems because they cannot even agree among themselves. How many wings does LP Cebu now have?” Garcia said in a text message sent to Cebu Daily News.

Pablo John said  Martinez  himself was an example of a political leader who favors  family members.

“That’s ironic, coming from someone who in the fourth district cannot choose a candidate outside of the Martinez family,” Pablo John said.