Cebu party forges alliance with Arroyo’s Kampi

CEBU CITY — Mayor Alvin Garcia’s political party, Kusug Uswag Sugbo, has tied the knot with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi) following the mayor’s assumption as this city’s Kampi chairman.

Garcia has yet to take his oath though, but he said such formality is no longer needed in forging the alliance.

As Kampi’s city chairman, Garcia is tasked to finalize Kusug-Kampi’s slate for the upcoming local elections.

Garcia claimed he was designated local Kampi chairman in 1999, but that he did not immediately respond to the appointment, believing this was not essential to his re-election bid.

"It has long been offered but I thought it was not necessary (for my campaign here)," he said.

Garcia said a majority of Kusug’s leaders, in his initial consultations, agreed to forge a coalition with Kampi, saying the alliance could benefit the local party’s candidates from financial assistance from the ruling national party.

Garcia said Kusug may endorse congressional aspirant Raul del Mar for the north district.

Del Mar, seeking a comeback in Congress under the BOPK-Promdi alliance, remains unchallenged in his bid.

Garcia, however, criticized the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) and Promdi for having allegedly used anti-Estrada indignation rallies to project their candidates.

Garcia claimed that BOPK founder Tomas Osmeña was even hesitant to lead anti-Estrada rallies in the city when Cebuanos gathered at Fuente Osmeña to protest the Senate vote against the opening of the second envelope containing potentially damaging bank records of former President Joseph Estrada.

Meanwhile, Garcia, who will be running with Vice Mayor Renato Osmeña, confirmed his final slate for councilors for the north and south districts.

For the north district, Kusug picked incumbent councilors Rogelio Osmeña and Firmo Dayao, former councilor Jessie Aznar, and councilor Felixberto Rosito’s daughter Raquel Rosito-Tan.

Other bets for the north district are Danilo Fernan, Liga ng mga Barangay chairman Carmelita Piramide and barangay chairmen Joel Garganera of Tinago and Rodigilio Arinasa of San Jose.

For the south district, Kusug will field re-electionist Eugenio Gabuya Jr., former councilors Rodolfo Cabrera and Rey Francis Holganza, businessman Anthony Luy Sr., Venustiano Barte, councilor Fe Mantua-Ruiz’s daughter Danna Ruiz-Sesante, Suba barangay councilman Andrew Borres and former Labangon barangay chairman Honorato Abella. — Freeman News Service