One Cebu starts party cleansing

CEBU, Philippines - The One Cebu Party has started cleansing its rank by kicking out members who refused to toe the line.

Party spokesman Rory Jon Sepulveda told reporters yesterday that they have already requested the Commission on Elections to drop Malabuyoc Mayor Lito Creus from the list of One Cebu’s official candidates in the town.

Sepulveda said that Creus is no longer a member of the party after the latter withdrew his membership to support a presidential candidate other than Gilberto Teodoro.

Creus resigned from One Cebu after he and other southern towns’ mayors signed a manifesto of support for Nacionalista Party standard bearer Manuel Villar.

During a meeting called by Governor Gwen Garcia, Creus admitted signing the manifesto for Villar. The other mayors, even if they have signed the same manifesto, denied having shifted their support.

In fact, most of them continue to declare that they are behind Teodoro even if they were already seen meeting with Villar.

Sepulveda said they have informed the Comelec that Creus is an independent candidate and no longer connected with One Cebu Party.

Creus assured Garcia that he will continue his support to her and Glenn Soco even if he is supporting another presidentiable.

Sepulveda was also quick to defend the party from speculations that they are secretly supporting Villar because some members of the Garcia family are supporting the NP standard bearer.

According to Sepulveda, former Capitol consultant Byron Garcia and the governor’s mother retired judge Esperanza Garcia who are said to be supporting Villar are not members of One Cebu.

He denied insinuations that the reported division of the Garcias is just a mere acting. —