With Cebu’s 5th district behind them, the Liberal Party-Cebu (LP-Cebu) is upbeat about their chances in this year’s mid-term elections.
LP Cebu provincial chairman Hilario Davide III told a press conference that the party’s alliance with the local Bakud party ensures crucial votes.
In the 2010 election, Davide lost to now suspended governor Gwen Garcia with a modest margin of 96,341 votes
At the time, he didn’t have the support of Bakud led by its chairman and Danao City vice mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III.
“But with the alliance with Bakud now, I expect to win in the district,” he said.
The 5th district with 10 towns and Danao City in the north has about 286,000 voters, making it the second biggest district in Cebu.
Yesterday’s LP kick-off rally took place in barangay Tayud, Liloan town in the boundary of Danao City.
Cebu’s biggest congressional district is the 1st district in south Cebu anchored by Talisay City, where the LP’s first proclamation rally was hed on Tuesday. The district counts 298,000 voters.
Davide said he has also secured support from mayors in the towns of Barili, Pinamungahan and Tuburan, three of the biggest towns in Cebu’s 3rd district in the midwest.
“We have a strong organization in the towns and provinces. LP is very strong in Cebu City,” he said because of the leadership of south district Rep. Tomas Osmena.
Davide said President Aquino will return to attend the LP’s Cebu City sortie on April 1.
The campaign period for congressional and local officials starts March 29, Good Friday.
There were speculations that Rep. Eduardo Gullas of the 1st district would announce his shift of support to Davide in the gubernatorial race but no announcement was made.
The congressman did not show up at the LP’s rally in Talisay City nor in Liloan town.
“I didn’t see him there nor his mayors. It was purely a Liberal affair,” he said.
Davide said he only saw a large welcome sign bearing the message “Welcome to Talisay City President Benigno Aquino and Senators.”
Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale, for her part, said the Garcia family has lost their stronghold in Cebu as shown in the last presidential race.
“In the 2010 election I witnessed how the Garcias worked for Gibo (Teodoro) but Pnoy won overwhelmingly in Cebu.”