No hand in Gwen’s graft charges—Durano, Bakud party

SENATE aspirant JV Ejercito has earned the wrath of the Durano clan after saying that graft charges against Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia were “possibly one of the conditions imposed by the Duranos during their signing of an alliance with the Liberal Party.”

The Bakud party led by Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano VI yesterday rejected Ejercito’s statement as “reckless” and irresponsible”, and  said the local party has decided to “vigorously campaign against him.”

Durano and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, in  a press statement, flatly denied having any role in the graft charges against Garcia over the P98.9 million Balili land purchase.

“Bakud did not impose such kind of condition on the Liberal Party. Based on the records, the cases were filed last March 2009, long before the alliance and negotiations between the two parties,” it said.

It emphasized that Bakud is endorsing Garcia’s senatorial bid and would be inconsistent if  the party was pushing the graft cases against her.

“It only goes to show that national politicians lack  knowledge pertaining to local politics.  JV Ejercito should have checked the facts first before making any insinuations about our party,” said Durano.

Garcia and her One Cebu party used to count on Bakud’s support in the 2010 election until the Duranos decided to ally with the Liberals in a formal agreement signed during the July 7, 2012 birthday of Danao Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano.

“He (Ejercito) has only alienated himself from the people of the 5th district and the Bakud Party whose leadership … has now decided to vigorously campaign against him,” said Durano in a one-page press statement.

Vice Governor Magpale was originally listed among members of the Provincial Board who were recommended for investigation by the Visayas Deputy Ombudsman in 2009.

When the Ombudsman’s Office finished its review and filed charges against culpable parties this week, it named the governor, five other Capitol officials and two private land owners.

The PB members and other Capitol employees who formed the Task Working Group were excluded.

“I categorically deny that we have a hand in this filing. I agree with the statement of Congressman Red Durano nga ang mga politiko sa national walay kalibutan sa atong mga issues diri,” said Magpale in the statement.

Durano said Ejercito’s statement was a “cheap political gimmick” to boost his political image in the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

He said the Bakud-LP alliance “is based on mutual understanding to work together for the development of the fifth district and of the Province of Cebu, in general.”