Magpale confirms talks with LP

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale yesterday confirmed reports of ongoing negotiations between her local party, Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) and the ruling Liberal Party.

The talk focuses on her political tandem with former Cebu City councilor Hilario Davide, III for the top provincial posts in the 2013 elections.

“Yes I do not deny that there are ongoing talks between Bakud and the Liberal Party. Nagsugod na, communication lines have been opened,” Magpale told reporters yesterday.

Bakud Party was in alliance with One Cebu Party of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia who won her reelection bid against Davide in the last elections.

According to Magpale, there is no offer yet from One Cebu Party to tandem with its gubernatorial candidate.

Magpale said she heard the governor’s brother, Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia, announce the tandem of Christina Frasco-Glenn Soco in one occasion in his town.

Frasco, wife of Liloan Mayor Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco, is the governor’s daughter.

Soco was the governor’s running mate in the last elections who lost to the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr.

“Gi-assume mao na’y mahitabo,” Magpale said after getting no offer yet from One Cebu Party.

    Aside from the vice gubernatorial post, Magpale believes the LP would no longer offer her the gubernatorial post to make it a Magpale-Davide tandem considering that she only belongs to a small local political party in the fifth district of the Province of Cebu.

“Ug asa ko nga makaserbisyo sa probinsiya nga hapsay, if unsa’y masa-butan sa matag partido, for the moment, I would really just like to let them decide,” Magpale said.

Magpale further said that she was not able to talk to any LP member from the national leadership except for her brother, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras who happens to be a close friend of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, III.

Provincial Board Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy earlier said LP members in Cebu describe the Davide-Magpale tandem as “formidable” either way and that they have agreed among themselves to push the Davide-Magpale tandem in the province for the 2013 elections.     - THE FREEMAN