Political 'harmony' during Suroy

 CEBU, Philippines - Opposition leaders of Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) in the Fifth District yesterday welcomed the delegates of the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo led by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

However, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, one of the party’s stalwarts, only met the participants – around 300 of them – in Compostela  town, the second stop of the trip.

The first stop was in Consolacion where delegates were welcomed by Mayor Teresa Alegado of the Liberal Party in the sixth district. One Cebu bet for vice governor, former Danao City vice mayor Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV, was also present.

The next stop was in Compostela where Mayor Joel Quiño welcomed the delegates with Magpale and Durano.

Magpale and Durano are cousins but will run against each other for vice governor in next year’s elections.

Magpale is the running mate of Hilario “Junjun” Davide III of LP while Durano will be running with Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia of One Cebu.

Durano went ahead to the next stop in Danao City where he and his father, Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr. welcomed party mates, Gov. Garcia and Pablo John, at the city’s plaza in front of the monument of the city’s father, Ramon “Mano Amon” Durano Sr.

In Boljoon, meanwhile, Mayor Teresita Celis and Provincial Board Member Willyamie Aladin Caminero also joined the activity even if the latter’s father, Board Member Wilfredo Caminero, has shifted alliances to LP.

The delegation then moved to Carmen town where Mayor Martin Gerard Villamor and PB Member Jude Thaddeus Sybico welcomed the guests at the Our Lady of Manaoag Shrine in mountain barangay of Corte where lunch was served.

Another Bakud member, Mayor Lissa Marie Durano, welcomed the participants at Alegre Beach Resort with its general manager Dottie Wurgler-Cronin.

The Suroy-Suroy participants will visit the other towns in the Fifth District today.

From Sogod, the participants travelled one and a half hours to Daanbantayan in the northernmost tip of the province.

Mayor Maria Luisa Loot has just reconciled with Garcia weeks ago when the governor attended the Haladaya Festival three years after the two women’s relationship turned sour.

Joining them were Provincial Board Members Sun Shimura and Joven Mondigo Jr. 

The dinner was held at Medellin’s Queen Island Gold Course before participants billeted to their respective resorts.

The group will cross to Bantayan Island today.  (FREEMAN)