PJ Garcia belies 'mass defection'

CEBU, Philippines - Rep. Pablo John Garcia, One Cebu Party’s secretary-general, questioned whether the transfer of Boljoon and Santander councilors to the Liberal Party can be considered mass defection.

“So Boljoon and Santander is already mass defection? Did they get the mayors and vice mayors of Boljoon and Santander?” Garcia said in a text message to The FREEMAN.

“What is mass defection? How many officials would constitute a mass defection?” Garcia added.

All the councilors of the two towns joined the mass oath-taking before former senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. at the Sacred Heart Center last Saturday.

Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy, Argao Mayor Edsel Galeos and his Vice Mayor Stanley Caminero also took their oath with LP last Saturday.

The LP Cebu Province conducted an assembly dubbed as the Basic Orientation on Liberal Democracy (BOLD) prior to the mass oath-taking of its new members.

There were around 400 incumbent and former officials as well as leaders from different towns who joined the event.

Also present were Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. and a few politicians from the fourth district including his son, former mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, former mayors Doroteo Salazar of Madridejos and Armando Serafin of Tabogon.

Only Vice Governor Agnes Magpale was present among the members of the Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokras-ya (Bakud) party of the fifth district during the event.

Magpale said that the Bakud members have a gathering last Saturday that was already scheduled ahead of the LP event.

However, Magpale assured that Bakud has its full support for LP.

After two elections of alliances, Bakud led by Danao City Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III, has severed ties with One Cebu and forged new alliance with LP for the 2013 elections.

Magpale is the runningmate of LP’s gubernatorial bet, Hilario Davide III, in next year’s elections.

They will be facing the tandem of Pablo John and Magpale’s cousin, former Danao City vice mayor Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV.

Danao City Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr., a former member of LP, has joined One Cebu with Liloan Mayor Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco, the son-in-law of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia. —/MBG (FREEMAN)