All One Cebu bets at UNA rally

CEBU, Philippines - The entire slate of One Cebu Party will be attending in full force during the proclamation rally of its ally, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), in Cebu City on Tuesday.

One Cebu leaders headed by Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia, gubernatorial candidate Rep. Pablo John Garcia and suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia met yesterday to discuss their preparations.

Also present were fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, former sixth district Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, acting Vice Governor Julian Daan, Provincial Board Members Cesar Ian Geronimo Zambo and Sun Shimura. 

Incumbent officials and other One Cebu’s candidates for board members, mayors and vice mayors were also present during the meeting.

One Cebu coordinator to UNA, former Compostela mayor Ritchie Wagas, reported that as of yesterday, the venue of the proclamation rally is at the Plaza Independencia in Cebu City and not at the Maritima Heritage grounds near the City Hall as earlier reported.

Wagas said that rally organizers expect over 100,000 people to attend but Garcia told the mayors yesterday to just maximize the participants.

All provincial candidates, mayors down to city and municipal councilors are required to attend.

Barangay officials are also expected to attend the rally.

The arrangement is that all candidates for provincial positions and mayors will be on stage joining the UNA’s senatorial candidates and those from Cebu City led by Mayor Michael Rama.

“Duna gyu’y ubay-ubay nga representation ang One Cebu Party nga magagikan sa nagkalain-laing kalungsuran ug dakbayan sa lalawigan sa Sugbo,” Garcia said. (Our towns and cities will be well represented.)

Some mayors assured to bring supporters from their towns especially the localities are near Cebu City.

But Salimbangon said it is not necessary because the people, upon learning of personalities from Manila, will be eager to come even if not invited.

“Daku kaayo na nga event nga ang mga tawo gimingaw na sa ingon ana nga kalihukan,” Salimbangon said. (That’s a big event and people are missing that kind of gathering.)

Wagas, who will be the program host, said that there are showbiz personalities to entertain the people before the proclamation rally.

He said that Cebu City officials are taking care of other parts of the preparations, being the host.

The activities will start at 3:00 in the afternoon while the proclamation rally will start at 5:00 in the afternoon and will last until 10:00 in the evening.

UNA’s “three kings”, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and former President Joseph Estrada, will attend and will deliver their speeches. — /JPM (FREEMAN)