One Cebu: Can't say if Luigi's move is 'our loss'

CEBU, Philippines - One Cebu Party leaders said it is too early to say if Cebu sixth district Rep. Gabriel Luis “Luigi” Quisumbing’s leaving One Cebu for the administration’s Liberal Party is a loss to them.

One Cebu chairwoman Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and her brother third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia, One Cebu secretary-general, said they had a long talk with Quisumbing at the Capitol few days ago wherein Quisumbing has indicated his intent to transfer to LP.

“Things will unfold and we are still moving towards 2013, it should get pretty interesting and it should go beyond,” the governor said.

“Sayo pa kaayo kung mosulti ta kung unsa gyud ang impact niining iyang desisyon,” Pablo John said.

He stressed there is no conflict between their families, but there is also no reason for Quisumbing to leave One Cebu.

Pablo John said that Quisumbing might have just wanted to simplify politics in his district considering that of the three mayors there, two are LP members; Mandaue City Jonas Cortes and Consolacion Mayor Teresita Alegado.

“I think more than anything else it is to simplify the political equation in the sixth district,” he said.

Pablo John said it was Quisumbing who requested the meeting with him and the governor at the Capitol.

Quisumbing joined One Cebu Party in 2010 and won as first-time lawmaker, displacing other party’s probable candidates like Provincial Board Member Thadeo Ouano, former PB member Victor Maambong and businessman Glenn Soco.

Garcia family patriarch, Deputy Speaker Pablo “Pabling” Garcia (second district, Cebu) also shared the view of his daughter, Gwendolyn and son, Pablo John.

Pabling said the situation in the sixth district has yet to be discussed but he emphasized that in the Lower House, there is now a coalition among other political groups to support President Benigno Aquino III and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. who are LP stalwarts.

“When it comes to Cebu, we act as one,” said the 87-year old Garcia. 

Meanwhile, Jocella Bighani, the chief of staff of Quisumbing, said Quisumbing himself will issue an official statement once he arrives from Manila today.

Quisumbing took his oath with LP around 3:30 p.m. yesterday. — Gregg M. Rubio with Flor Z. Perolina/BRP (THE FREEMAN)