Boljoon a free zone for LP and One Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - The Municipality of Boljoon is now being perceived as free-zone for One Cebu and Liberal Party in the 2013 elections.

Bets from One Cebu and LP were invited at the fiesta activities of Boljoon hosted by former mayor Deogenes Derama, though in different days.

One Cebu led by Governor Gwendolyn, Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia and gubernatorial bet and third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia were the guests of Derama last Friday’s dinner.

Prior to the dinner, Gov. Garcia attended the procession of Boljoon’s Patron Saint, Nuestra Señora Patrocinio de Maria, which has been her way of annual thanksgiving even before she became governor in 2004.

Garcia also attended the coronation ceremony of the town’s search for festival queen after dinner.

Joining them at the dinner were Pablo John’s runningmate, former Danao City vice mayor Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV, former Provincial Board member Carmiano Kintanar, Mayors Teresita Celis of Boljoon, Ronald Allan Cesante of Dalaguete, Nicomedes delos Santos of Alcoy, Mariano Blanco III of Ronda and Lionel Bacaltos of Sibonga, all of One Cebu Party.

Derama’s nephew, Boljoon Vice Mayor Merlou Derama, later joined.

Merlou is running for mayor under LP while One Cebu is not fielding candidates for mayor and vice mayor except for four councilors.

 However, Celis, who is Merlou’s aunt, is running for PB member under One Cebu in tandem with Kintanar.

LP is fielding incumbent PB Member Peter John Calderon and Dumanjug Vice Mayor Christopher Baricuatro against Celis and Kintanar.

A mayor who refused to be named said that either Calderon or Baricuatro will be left out in Boljoon since the Deramas cannot afford to leave Celis.

Celis has already served in the PB as ex-officio member when she was the president of the Federation of Associations of Barangay Councils in the Province of Cebu prior to her election as mayor.

Celis earlier declared that even if other town officials led by her nephew, Merlou, transferred to LP, she remains with One Cebu of the Garcias.

Asked if Boljoon is declared free zone, Gov. Garcia and Palo John just laughed.

Pablo John earlier claimed that Boljoon is still One Cebu country while LP also claimed as its bailiwick after they got all the councilors.

Last night, the LP candidates led by its gubernatorial bet Hilario Davide III and runningmate, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, were the guests of Derama. — (FREEMAN)