Soco weighs his dream; One Cebu picks Durano

As One Cebu introduced former Danao City vice mayor Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV as the runningmate of Rep. Pablo John Garcia in the Cebu gubernatorial race, party stalwart Glenn Soco pondered his own plans for next year’s elections.

“My interest in running for vice governor weighs heavy on my heart. This is what I believe in because this is the position I ran for,” said Soco, a voter of Mandaue City.

He said he didn’t acept offers to run for other positions and is keeping his options open.

Asked if if he was offered by One Cebu to run for mayor in Mandaue City or 6th district congressman, he just laughed and said he has one month to decide before filing his candidacy.

“I have faithfully complied with all One Cebu obligations and I will weigh my options. I will firm up or make my final decision at the proper time,” Soco said.

Soco said he continued making rounds in the province even after the 2010 elections and met people who pledged to support him.

“Whatever the decision will be, I believe in the intelligence of the Cebuano voters and they will dictate,” Soco said.

Soco, who ran with Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia in 2010, said yesterday he doesn’t harbor ill feelings agaisnt the Garcias for choosing Durano.

One Cebu held a mass oath-taking of officials identified with Danao City Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr. at the Danao City Civic Center. Boboy is the eldest of the mayor’s five children.

In his welcome message, Mayor Durano said their allegiance to One Cebu is a testament to their “respect” to the Garcias who poured projects and assistance to the city.

“Politics is just passing. But we could not forget what we owe to them. Even if it means that I’ll be the one left standing, I will stand by her (Gwen),” the mayor said.

Pablo John said this is the first time they held a mass-oath taking in Danao City considered a bailiwick of the Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) Party of Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III.

He introduced Boboy as his “lig-on nga bise gobernador (dependable vice governor)” and cited his “youth and experience” as qualities that convinced One Cebu to choose him as his runningmate.

Boboy noted that the event at the Danao City Civic Center in barangay Poblacion was symbolic, since he started his political career as a barangay chairman there.

Boboy, 52, earned his bachelor’s degree in management at the University of San Carlos in 1982 and his masters’ degree at the University of the Philippines in 1987.

He was elected barangay captain of Poblacion in Danao in 1988 and was also elected ABC president of the city. In 1992, he vice mayor until 2001. From 2001- 2006, he also served as Danao City administrator.

He has also been a member of the boards of the Development Bank of the Philippines , Metro Cebu Water District and the Metro Rail Transit.

Meanwhile, Soco said Boboy’s selection as One Cebu vice gubernatorial candidate didn’t diminish his own interest to seek the vice governor’s post next year.

“When I ran in 2010 more than half a million voters shaded the box where my name was placed on the voting form,” Soco said in a radio interview.

Soco ran with Governor Garcia but lost to the late vice governor Greg Sanchez. He said the Garcias talked to him beforehand about the party’s selection of Durano.

“I value friendship… I am trying to understand the decision but I have to move on. The announcement will make things much clearer. I understand that there’s a process and we can only accept the decision,” he added.

Soco said he was offered other positions which he refused to reveal.

Rep. Ramon Red Durano VI of Cebu’s 5th district said their Bakud party isn’t worried about Boboy Durano’s decision.

“The Bakud party is solid and we’re 100 percent supporting Junjun Davide for governor and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale,” he said.

Red said Magpale has the edge over Boboy with her longer experience in public service.

Red said Boboy couldn’t rely on his father, Mayor Boy Durano because the mayor won in the past elections because of Bakud.