LP prexy: Cebu not a free zone

CEBU, Philippines - A ranking official of the Liberal Party in Manila insisted that President Benigno Aquino, III will campaign for all their candidates in Cebu despite having free zone agreement with the National Unity Party.

LP president and transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said that they will campaign for gubernatorial candidate Hilario Davide, III.

“LP leaders most especially the President will campaign for governor Junjun Davide and his whole slate down to the last councilor,” said Abaya in a text message to former fourth district Rep. Celestino “Tining” Martinez, III.

Abaya’s statement prompted Cebu third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia of One Cebu/NUP to also threaten to drop their support for LP senatorial candidates.

Martinez asked Abaya for clarification on the issue of free zone in Cebu. Martinez forwarded to The Freeman Abaya’s text messages in reply to his query.

Should a free zone is declared in Cebu, Martinez is among the LP candidates to be affected as he is up against incumbent fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, vice chairman of NUP for the Visayas.

Abaya said that “no one enjoys equity of the incumbent and LP will have a full slate against whoever despite the partnership or alliance agreement.”

“This is more of an exception rather than the rule,” Abaya said adding that both parties are still expected to campaign for the LP senatorial slate.

“That sets the tone to what is actually meant by the alliance under that agreement,” Martinez said.

But Garcia said that free zone should mean that both parties are to be left to their own devices.

“I’m not claiming equity of the incumbent because I’m not an incumbent. Neither is my opponent. I’m just saying the partnership calls for a free zone,” Garcia said.

“And if he (Abaya) says we are expected to campaign for the LP senatorial slate while the President campaigns for my opponent, then that’s not partnership but a one-way street. Maybe we should read the partnership agreement again,” Garcia added.

Abaya’s statement was contrary to that of Presidential adviser for political affairs Secretary Ronald Llamas who said that the LP’s problem with vote-rich Cebu province is limited to the gubernatorial race where their candidate is pitted against that of the NUP.

Llamas was referring to Davide who is pitted with Garcia who represents NUP which the administration party has a coalition.

Earlier reports identified the vote-rich provinces of Cavite and Cebu as among those deemed to be named free zones for the Nacionalista Party headed by Senator Manny Villar. NP also has a coalition with LP.

The so-called free zones have been drawn between LP and its coalition allies, NP, Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), and this includes vote-rich provinces where local alliances seem to be a free-for-all.

The LP struck an alliance with NUP, but the latter also entered into a partnership agreement with One Cebu party of the Garcias.

Garcia earlier said that the free zone extends to NUP candidates and is applicable to One Cebu/NUP.—/FPL (FREEMAN)