Madridejos political rivals open to alliance

CEBU - They once faced off as fierce rivals in the 2007 elections, but Madridejos Mayor Salvador “Sally” dela Fuente and former mayor Lety Mancio may now consider a possible alliance.

Dela Fuente and Mancio were seen in their first public appearance together since the election in the sports complex during the first Isda Festival last Monday afternoon.

The two were on stage together with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Cebu fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, Provincial Board member Joven Mondigo, Bantayan Mayor Geralyn Escario, Sta. Fe Vice Mayor Dory Cabrera and councilors of the town of Madridejos and Bantayan.

In the last elections Dela Fuente got 7,540 votes while Mancio only got 4,911 votes. Mancio was backed by Garcia while Dela Fuente was being supported by the camp of Garcia’s rival, former congressman Celestino Martinez.

 “There is a possibility nga magkuyog mi sa election pero wala pa mi maghisgot ana. Kinahanglan pa sad ko mangkonsulta sa akong mga dumadapig kay ako man sad respetohan ang ilang desisyon,” Dela Fuente said.

What is important, Dela Fuente said, is that they have opened the lines of communication.

The meeting of the two politicians elated the governor who said this made their town’s celebration of the feast of the Immaculate Conception and their celebration of the first Isda Festival more meaningful.

“Tan-awa ninyo silang duha, nagkuyog sa entablado,” Garcia told the crowd gathered at the sports complex to watch the festival.

Garcia said what Mancio and Dela Fuente did was an example of “extraordinary statesmanship” which made Monday’s celebrations more meaningful.

“Kini nagpakita sa ilang talagsaon nga paghigugma sa lungsod sa Madridejos,” the governor said.

Mancio was among those invited for Monday’s blessing of their town’s birthing center which she started during her second term in office which ended in June 2007.  

“I am very grateful that politics did not get in the way and that mayor Sally dela Fuente completed the birthing center, a project which I started,” said Mancio who requested that she be allowed to speak after the blessing ceremonies.

Mancio later joined Garcia, Salimbangon and Dela Fuente in witnessing the grand showdown of the festival.

Dela Fuente pursued the project’s completion while Salimbangon promised on Monday that he will allocate funds from his congressional funds to subsidize the cost of admission. 

“I am very grateful that you have set aside our political differences for the good of the Lawisanons,” Mancio said in her message.

Mancio and Dela Fuente then kissed each other in the cheek.

Mancio later told reporters that she came to the blessing ceremonies because did not want to turn down an invitation to a program that involves Garcia.

She said that Monday’s meeting may already be a start of good relations with Dela Fuente but she said that it was still too early to discuss her political plans and the possibility of a political alliance with him in the next election.

Dela Fuente smiled when asked if he would consider having Mancio as a vice mayoral candidate in the 2010 elections and also said it is still too early to discuss politics.

He claims that he never discriminated against political rivals and Mancio supporters even when he took over the reigns of the municipal government.

Dela Fuente is now at odds with his Vice Mayor Dorotheo Salazar over the administration-dominated council’s decision to rescind the municipal government’s contract with a private contractor for the construction of their port.

Salazar sat beside Dela Fuente during the 10 a.m. Mass and also joined Garcia and municipal officials for lunch. But he was no longer seen for the rest of the fiesta activities including the festival held in the afternoon. – Garry B. Lao/BRP (THE FREEMAN)