After PNoy, Binay vows to be back for local bets

Cebu as a major political battlefield will see the two highest officials of the land campaigning for their respective bets for local positions in the May 2013 elections.

Vice President Jejomar Binay who was here yesterday to keynote the Cebu CFI Community Cooperative General Assembly, said he would be back to campaign for the One Cebu Party when the local campaign period starts later this month.

Binay, in a press conference, told reporters that he will be here on the first week of April to support the  political party of the Garcia family, the One Cebu.

“Ganyan po kami sa UNA (United Nationalist Alliance) walang iwanan,” he said.

(We at UNA do not leave our allies behind.)

Rep. Pablo John Garcia, One Cebu gubernatorial candidate said the party is still planning for the proclamation rally of their candidates.

“Definitely we will have an activity once it is officially allowable to campaign for local candidates,” he told reporters.

Earlier, President Benigno Aquino has also made a commitment to be back and campaign for the Liberal Party (LP) gubernatorial candidate Hilario “Junjun” Davide III.

Like the One Cebu,  LP Cebu chapter is still to announce the date of the proclamation rally of their local candidates.

Rep. Garcia said that he has been going around the province together with his sister, suspended Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia who is running for the congressional seat of Cebu’s 3rd district.

“We are being invited by barangays all over the province. Sometimes we do three to four towns a day because I believe that it is in seeing people and introducing yourself to people that you gain their trust and confidence. You win them over,” he said.

Governor Garcia meanwhile said she is “enjoying” her time outside of the governor’s office where she had locked herself in for 42 days after her six-month suspension was served last Dec. 18, 2012.

“Maybe you (media) should come and see what we’re doing. Going to the barangays. Going to the people. Having more time to be in direct contact with the even the farthest sitios,” she said.

“I am actually enjoying myself,” she added.

Gov. Garcia was in Balamban last Saturday where acting Gov. Agnes Magpale was also reported to have visited the town earlier.

Gov. Garcia said that she had visited the third district last Saturday.

Binay was in Cebu yesterday to attend the 43rd birthday of Cebu CFI Community Cooperative  which is closely identified with the Garcias.

With him were UNA senatorial candidates Mitos Magsaysay and former senator Richard Gordon.

At 4 p.m. Binay left Cebu for a campaign rally in Cagayan De Oro City. /Carmel Loise Matus, Correspondent