LP strengthens hold on Cebu with Duranos

POLITICS IS ADDITION. President Aquino welcomes to the Liberal Party new allies from Cebu. In photo are (from left) DILG Chief Jessie Robredo, Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III, Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya, Cebu Rep. Ramon Durano, Danao City Vice Mayor Ramon Durano III, former Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, Sen. Franklin Drilon, Customs Chief Rozzano Rufino Biazon and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad. MALACAÑANG PHOTO

DANAO CITY—The Liberal Party (LP) has strengthened its hold on Cebu after welcoming one of the province’s influential political leaders into its fold.

Danao Vice Mayor Ramon Durano III, head of Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Stand for Progress and Democracy or Bakud), has formed an alliance with the administration party for the 2013 elections.

He promised President Aquino, who witnessed the signing and attended Durano’s 64th birthday celebration, that the LP candidates, including gubernatorial bet Hilario Davide III and his running mate, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, would win in Cebu’s 5th district.

“With all sincerity and humility, Bakud’s history, since its founding in 2000, shows how we party members firmly stick to agreements and alliances. Thus, to our partners in the Liberal Party, we give you this firm assurance of fidelity and hard work,” said Durano.

President Aquino flew here on Saturday morning to witness the signing of the alliance between Durano’s Bakud Party and the LP headed by Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas at the sprawling Durano compound in Barangay Guinsay here.

The signing was also witnessed by LP stalwarts Sen. Franklin Drilon, Budget Secretary Butch Abad, Interior Secretary Jessie Robredo, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon.

Durano, father of Cebu 5th District Rep. Red Durano and former Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, said he was bringing with him to the LP-Bakud coalition a considerable number of local officials from nine of the 10 municipalities that make up the fifth district.

Before the agreement was signed, Durano took his oath as an LP member.

“I’m very honored that I have the President of the Philippines as a guest on my birthday,” Durano told reporters in an interview. “I believe personally in the program of government of President Noynoy Aquino and the LP’s 16-point agenda,” he said.

Mr. Aquino said he expected better governance coming to Cebu following the signing of the coalition agreement between the LP and Bakud.

“It’s important that we find allies who would really join us in taking the straight path and lead the people to progress now instead of in the distant future,” the President said.

He said Durano’s assurance of support for his administration 16-point agenda could lead to development and progress not just in the 5th district but in the whole province.

The 5th district, which has a voting population of 285,600, is composed of Danao City and the towns of Borbon, Carmen, Catmon, Compostela, Liloan, Pilar, Poro, San Francisco, Sogod and Tudela.

LP’s alliance with Bakud means that the administration party now controls two of Cebu’s six districts, which used to be dominated by the One Cebu party of Gov. Gwen Garcia, who is one of the senatorial candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). With a report from Norman Bordadora