Soco: Take two for vice gov race

WITH his relatives in tow, businessman Glenn Anthony Soco yesterday filed his certificate of candidacy for Cebu vice governor before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office, his second stab at the position since 2010.

Clad in an orange polo shirt, Soco filed his bid under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) party of former president Joseph “Erap” Estrada.

He wouldn’t say if he had a gubernatorial candidate as his pair.

In an interview, Soco cited his election protest against the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. where the Comelec ruled against him. Soco insists that he was the real winner of the 2010 vice gubernatorial race.

“It’s a long and hard decision that I have to make and it carries with it a lot of principles. I’m standing up for my principles. I fought for this position,” he said.

Soco said he garnered 517,000 votes during his run for vice governor with Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia under the One Cebu party.

Soco declined to comment on whether his acton signals an exit from the One Cebu party, where he offered to run as vice governor.

The party is fielding Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV, Danao vice mayor instead.

“It’s a democratic process. Whoever believes in their capability to serve the people, they can always present themselves. More than that, I believe in my track record and in my sincerity to serve the public,” Soco said.

The businessman said he has “a very clear platform of government” and that Cebuanos should look at the elections “beyond partisan politics.” Soco said he will also campaign hard in next year’s elections.

“At the end of the day, it will be the people of Cebu who will decide,” he said.

Soco is up against Durano and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale of Bakud-Liberal Party.

Soco was offered a Provincial Board (PB) for the 6th district in One Cebu’s slate and even the congressional spot.

One Cebu’s gubernatorial candidate, Rep. Pablo John Garcia of Cebu’s 3rd district, will run in tandem with former Danao City vice mayor Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV.

Pablo John gave way to his sister Governor Garcia, who will run for Cebu’s 3rd district. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus