Boy says he has edge over Nito

CEBU, Philippines - Danao City Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr. is confident that he has political advantage over his brother, Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano, because he has the support of another sibling, former mayor Jesus “Don” Durano.

Mayor Boy will be seeking reelection while Don will be his running mate.

Mayor Boy will be facing Vice Mayor Nito who will be running in tandem with his son, fifth district Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano VI.

Red is now on his last term as congressman.

Both Mayor Boy and Don downplayed the claim of Nito’s camp that 36 out of 42 barangays are behind him.

Boy said the six barangays represent 65 percent of the total voters in Danao City, which means they still have the support of most Danawanons.

Although there is no formal alliance yet, Mayor Boy announced that they will be supporting the gubernatorial bid of third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia.

And even if Garcia has not announced his runningmate yet, Mayor Boy already made a pronouncement that they will not be supporting their cousin, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.

Magpale will be running for vice governor in tandem with lawyer Hilario Davide.

Magpale’s party, Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud), has forged ties with Davide’s Liberal Party.

“Dili makapaabot si Magpale ug suporta namo dinhi sa Danao,” said Mayor Boy Durano.(Magpale cannot expect support from Danao.)

Magpale had said in a previous interview that Mayor Boy’s statement was expected. But she believes the people of Danao are intelligent enough to know her kind of politics.

Don, who recently resigned from LP, said he decided to support his brother, Boy, because he believes in his leadership.

 Don admitted that he was aware that Nito will be joining LP. It was Davide himself who broke the news.

Davide reportedly offered him possible government posts, but he declined because he suspects it was the idea of Nito.

 “Dili ko makabiya sa akong igsoon nga si Mayor Boy aron lang gayud makakuha ug posisyon sa gobyerno,” said Don Durano. (I will not abandon my brother, Mayor Boy, just to get a position in government.)

Don recalled that after the EDSA revolution, his father, Ramon “Manong Amon” Durano Sr., was elected as mayor while he was the vice mayor.

Due to the death of Manong Amon, he assumed as mayor.

Then, he ran for mayor with Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV, son of Mayor Boy Durano, as his runningmate.

Nito supported the candidacy of his mother Beatriz “Manang Ate” but Don won.  (FREEMAN)