On one Cebu’s support for Binay: UNA gains strength, says Rama; Davide contradicts

CEBU, Philippines - Suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said his political party, the United Nationalist Alliance, will gain a strong foundation in the upcoming elections not only in the city but also in the province after One Cebu Party expressed their support.

Rama, UNA’s appointed regional coordinator, could not help but air out his joy after gubernatorial candidate Winston Garcia and his party, One Cebu, said they are supporting Vice President Jejomar Binay, UNA’s standard-bearer, for president.

“I am very happy. I am the most, shall we say, I am the happiest political figure in UNA in the region of Visayas, Region 7 in particular and Cebu as special because with us together, we can be more concrete that the whole Cebu has UNA,” Rama said yesterday in a press conference.

Rama said the newly-formed alliance will strengthen UNA, especially that it has gained support from two vote-rich areas in the country.

“First and foremost, Cebu City is a highly-urbanized city so when you talk about Team Rama, we operate really as a highly-urbanized party. When you talk of One Cebu, you’re talking about the province and by the way, Cebu City is the capital of the whole island of Cebu province,” he said.

The mayor is confident that with a strong political framework both in the city and province, “it will definitely boost and get more votes for Binay” in the national scene.

Two local parties, on the other hand, can hopefully expand their reach to several voters, he added.

“This matter of [creating] a strength, it is now going to be for UNA national, a strength for UNA province and a strength for UNA city,” Rama said.

He also acknowledged Winston’s sister, former governor and now third district Representative Gwendolyn Garcia, for leading the nine-year-old One Cebu Party.

“Don’t forget that it was and it is still Gwen Garcia (that) never parted and has continued as I was still connecting with her when all of this was still in the brewing,” said Rama.

Davide

Despite the support gained by Binay from One Cebu Party, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III believes that Liberal Party’s bet Mar Roxas will still have the advantage in the province come May 9 elections.

“Based sa akong assessment, we are strong here in the province, even in the cities. We are confident of a Roxas- (Leni) Robredo win here in Cebu,” he told reporters in a regular press conference yesterday.

Robredo will be the runningmate of Roxas.

Davide rebutted the claim of Toledo City Mayor John “Sonny” Osmeña that Binay would be assured of victory in Garcias’ bailiwicks, especially in the third district, with the forging of alliance between Binay and One Cebu.

“It’s just his (Osmeña’s) opinion. Lig-on man gani ang LP diha sa Toledo,” he said.

Third district is composed of the city of  Toledo and towns of Aloguinsan, Asturias, Balamban, Barili, Pinamungajan and Tuburan.

Davide added that LP is also of advantage in the newly created seventh district which consists of the towns of Alcantara, Alegria, Badian, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Moalboal, Ronda, and Dumanjug, which is currently under the administration of Mayor Nelson Garcia.

He said LP bets in these area have also established “solid relationship and alliance” among the constituents and the local officials.

As part of their effort to boost votes for Roxas and his slate, Davide, being the provincial chairman of LP, said they have been promoting Roxas in several visits to the barangays and towns in the province.

 “We tell them nga kung ang basehan lang integrity and competence, track record, competence, way lain si Mar Roxas g’yud. He was part of Aquino administration which began the reforms under the principle of ‘Daang Matuwid’,” he said.

In fact, Davide disclosed that they are planning to hold a big event for Roxas and his slate before the start of the campaign period for the national candidates on February 9. — (FREEMAN)