Will Loot ditch Davide for Garcia?

CEBU, Philippines - One Cebu Party is confident that Daanbantayan Mayor Maria Luisa Loot will support the gubernatorial bid of Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia despite the mayor’s earlier statement that she has pledged support for Hilario “Junjun” Davide III of the Liberal Party.

Garcia said Loot has confirmed during a talk Thursday that she and her son, Board Member Sun Shimura, will stand by Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon in 2013.

During the Haladaya Festival in Daanbantayan, Salimbangon endorsed the tandem of Garcia and former Danao City vice mayor Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV who is running for vice governor under One Cebu.

The Garcia-Durano tandem was announced officially last Friday.

Garcia quoted Loot as saying, “My leader in the fourth district is Cong. Benhur Salimbangon, so I will follow the lead of Cong. Benhur Salimbangon.”

“I think we can all draw our own conclusion from that statement,” Garcia said.

This development came after Loot patched it up with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia also during the festival. The two were not in good terms for the past three years, but the Garcias attended the festival last week upon the invitation of Salimbangon and Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung.

Gwen left her brother at the venue after delivering a message and turning over P500,000 financial assistance to the town.

But even before the Garcias arrived, Loot told reporters she was open for reconciliation, but only on a personal basis because she has already committed to Davide.

Still, Garcia said it is up to the people to make their own judgment.

Garcia said what happened last week was a “game changer” as far as the Loots are concerned.

Shimura himself said he always follows Salimbangon’s direction.

Gwen, meanwhile, said the recent turn of events should serve as an example to other leaders in the province.

“For me, it should be a welcome development and should serve as a good example to all other leaders,” the governor said.

“I hope you are happy about it because as Christians we must always be able to… kana bang wa ta’y conflict with anybody,” she added.

Gwen recalled how Loot stood for her alone in the 2004 elections when all mayors stood behind Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. who ran for governor.

Gwen and Loot ended their rift last week in an emotional encounter. Both hugged each other, teary-eyed.

Aside from Salimbangon, Shimura and Durano, also present during the Haladaya Festival were former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Provincial Board Member Joven Mondigo Jr. and Gen. Vicente Loot.  (FREEMAN)