PJ: Boljoon is still "One Cebu country"

CEBU, Philippines - Boljoon town and barangay officials have disproved report that there was “mass defection” from One Cebu Party to the Liberal Party.

Mayor Teresita Celis and Vice Mayor Merlou Derama brought with them their councilors and all 11 barangay captains to Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Rep. Pablo John Garcia yesterday.

They denied earlier claim of the LP leaders that all of their councilors have defected to them when they were all present at the Basic Orientation on Liberal Democracy (BOLD) prior to the mass oath-taking of its new members.

Celis said that only Councilor Ernesto Dacay who is on his last term attended the activity with some individuals who will run against them next elections.

The 11 barangay captains also said none of their councilors have joined the LP.

They expressed strong support to the candidacy of Pablo John for governor and his runningmate, former Danao City vice mayor Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV.

They still expressed support to the governor although she is running for congressman in the third district while Boljoon is part of the second district under Rep. Pablo Garcia.

Celis denied report that other One Cebu mayors in the second district are just waiting for her to shift alliance with LP.

“Di gyud ko mobali, bahala ako nalang mahabilin sa One Cebu(I am not defecting even if I will be left alone in One Cebu),” Celis said.

One Cebu is set to hold a mass oath-taking of its leaders in Boljoon soon.

Pablo John declared that “Boljoon is One Cebu country” after hearing yesterday from the mayor and other town officials.

The councilors of Santander town were said to have defected to LP.

Pablo John said they still has to verify the report.

“We try to avoid propaganda, we are confident One Cebu is strong,” Pablo John said.

Pablo John, One Cebu’ secretary-general, earlier questioned whether the reported transfer of Boljoon and Santander councilors to the LP can be considered mass defection.

During the oath-taking of LP last week, only Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy, Argao Mayor Edsel Galeos and his Vice Mayor Stanley Caminero officially took their oath with LP from One Cebu.

The rest were all LP allies who are incumbent while others are former officials in their respective towns. (FREEMAN)