Junie mulls Congress run

A run for Cebu’s 4th congressional district is not out of the question for Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr.

Though decided on re-election, Martinez told Cebu Daily News that he would still depend on the Liberal Party’s decision to run for other positions.

He said he would still have to meet with the LP’s Cebu chapter.

His son, Celestino “Tining” Martinez III has not made known his plans for 2013.

The younger Martinez managed to win an election protest against Rep. Benhur Salimbangon of Cebu’s 4th district in late 2009.

“Tining” ran but lost to Salimbangon in the 2010 elections while the elder Martinez retained the mayoralty seat against Salimbangon’s sister Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung.

Mayor Martinez said the family has yet to decide on who between him and his son should run for Congress. He said LP Provincial chairman Hilario “Junjun” Davide III has not called for any meetings yet.

Martinez said they already met with several LP national officials like Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.

“We are waiting for Junjun- of his plans and strategies. No meetings called for the district chairman and municipal chairman. Davide should know,” he said.

Martinez also said ratings will decide whether or not Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia will make good on her announcement to run for senator in 2013 under the United National Alliance (UNA).

“Cebu is a vote rich province. If Gwen’s ratings improve in the survey, I think she has a good chance,” he told Cebu Daily News.

But he said Garcia may run for Cebu’s 3rd district, switching places with her younger brother Pablo John.

“It’s either the Senate or Congress for Gwen,” the Bogo City mayor said.

He said he anticipated Pablo John’s selection as the gubernatorial candidate for the ruling One Cebu party in the province.

Martinez said former governor and incumbent Rep. Pablo Garcia of Cebu’s 2nd district is too old.

“As I’ve said it will be a big problem for One Cebu because the search for that candidate starts with a Garcia and ends with a Garcia,” he said.

Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas, son of Rep. Eduardo Gullas of Cebu’s 1st district, said their Alayon Party will support the governor’s bid for the Senate. /Carmel Loise Matus, Correspondent