Vice Governor Sanchez "welcomes" Loot to Liberal Party

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez yesterday said he would welcome Daan-bantayan Mayor Maria Luisa Loot to the Liberal Party if she intends to formalize her plan to bolt to the administration party. 

He said Loot's joining the party will make it stronger as it will mean more members and supporters.

"Moligon gyud ang LP kay nationwide baya ang LP then we have our president who is also Liberal Party," Sanchez said.

He also said that it is still Loot's plan but once it is final, she and her allies who will join the party will have their oathtaking in Manila.

It was reported that Loot will bring Daanbantayan municipal councilors and 98 percent of the barangay officials with her when she joins LP.

The mayor said she may also bring along her son, Provincial Board Member Sun Shimura, if Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, chairperson of the One Cebu Party, will not treat him well.

However, Bogo Mayor Celestino "Junie" Martinez was not inclined to believe that Loot will join the party of President Benigno Aquino III.

As the district chairman of LP, Martinez said he should be the first to be informed of Loot's transfer to the party.

"The party never consulted me yet on Loot's plans to join LP and I will never presume any statement since it is not yet official," Martinez said. "I am the first person to be notified tungod kay ako ang district chairman."

There are reports that the relationship between the Martinezes and Loots, who both came from the fourth district and used to be allies, turned sour after the Loots shifted their support to Governor Garcia in 2004.

But a few months after the May 2010 elections, Maria Luisa Loot and the governor had a falling out that prompted the latter to pull out her support from the governor and to consider joining the Liberal Party. (FREEMAN)