Salimbangon won't stop Loot from joining Liberal Party

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon is letting his ally, Daanbantayan Mayor Maria Luisa Loot, leave the One Cebu Party to join the Liberal Party.

Salimbangon, vice-chairperson of One Cebu Party, said he learned of Loot's plan a few months back when her relationship with Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia turned sour. The One Cebu Party is chaired by the governor. 

But even if Loot joins LP, Salimbangon assured she will remain as political ally as far as the fourth district is concerned.

Meanwhile, Salimbangon corrected the report that he will attend the oathtaking of Loot and the 98 percent of the barangay officials of her town as new LP members.

"Ang iya (Loot) giingon sa ako nga duna'y mass oathtaking ang mga bagong napili nga barangay officials. Wa pa man ma-schedule og kanus-a. Wa sad ko kahibawo kinsa pa iya patambungon," Salimbangon who just arrived from Singapore told The FREEMAN yesterday. 

Earlier, Garcia expressed amusement over reports that there are disagreements among the members of the Liberal Party on whether or not to accept Loot as its new member.

The governor said she could not help but be entertained by the fact that local LP could not agree among themselves.

While LP provincial chairman and Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. is very much eager to take Loot into the party, other party officials and members wanted to hold a consultation first.

The only LP member councilor of Daanbantayan, Gilbert Arabis Jr. said the local party members were not aware that Loot is joining them.

Arrabis said that as far as LP members of Daanbantayan are concerned, they have not discussed the matter yet.

He is hoping that LP hierarchy will do consultations among its party members before deciding whether or not to accept Loot into the party.

Loot is reportedly bolting to the LP bringing along with her all the town councilors and 98 percent of the barangay officials of her town after a fallout with Garcia.  

She is also planning to bring along her son, Provincial Board Member Sun Shimura, if he is not treated well by the One Cebu Party of Garcia, when she takes her oath as LP member on November 10.

Loot's impending shift of allegiance to LP also surprised the party's district chairman, Bogo Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr.

Martinez said he is not aware of Loot's scheduled oathtaking on November 10 because he was not told about it.

As district chairman of LP in the fourth district, Martinez said he should be informed. (FREEMAN)