Davide to Sonny: There's only one LP in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Liberal Party (LP) provincial chairman Hilario “Jun-Jun” Davide III is saddened but will not be distracted by former senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña withdrawing support for his gubernatorial bid in 2013.

With Sonny breaking away from LP and his announcement to form another line-up under the “original LP”, Davide declared that there is only one LP in Cebu, the one he heads.

In a press conference yesterday, Davide assured his partymates that he “stands on the same platform he stood on in 2010 and adhere to the same principles of transparency and honesty in public service.”

“I will not be distracted by this, padayun ang partido to succeed in the elections,” Davide said.

He announced that since last month, they already started campaigning and recruiting new LP members up to the barangay level.

Davide still has the support of Sonny’s brother, former governor Emilio “Lito” Osmeña, who described him as a good man.

Davide said he holds the “same respect for the ideals of democratic governance and maintain the same clear purpose and renewed enthusiasm” for the coming political exercise.

“Apan kining paglaban sa politika dili man mapugos. Kon aduna kita’y kauban niadto nga karon nakahukom sa pag-buwag, wala kita’y mahimo,” Davide said. (We can’t force anyone to be with us. If someone decides to leave us there’s nothing we can do.)

In a meeting with LP national president Mar Roxas the other day, Davide was already assured of being the party’s candidate for governor in 2013 elections.

Both Sonny and Lito shared the same dismay over LP’s alleged failure to address the concerns of its members in Cebu.

“Ako giingnan ako maguwang nga duna koy commitment nga di nako mabakwi sama sa pagsuporta kang Jun-jun ug ni (Vice Governor Agnes) Magpale. Magpadayun ang ako commitment,” said Lito over a radio program hosted by his son Mariano “Mimo” Osmeña and former vice governor Fernando Celeste.

In the said radio program “Sugbo Labaw Kanatong Tanan,” Lito said Davide could win in 2013 though he stressed that it still a long way ahead.

“He is very good man, he can make a very good governor,” Lito said.

Lito also agreed with Sonny that Davide has shown to be “passive, timid and insensitive” and not assertive.

Lito likened Davide to the late former Chief Justice and Senate President Marcelo Fernan who was a “very likeable person.”

Sonny had reached the decision after Davide reportedly failed to stand up for the LP members in Cebu during a meeting with Roxas last Monday evening. — (FREEMAN)