Tight fight looms in Cebu

CEBU — And the heat is on.

The provincial race is headed for a tight fight among the Osmeñas, Martinezes and the Garcias.

Surprise candidates mushroomed at the Commission on Elections’ provincial office last Monday after negotiations to unite the local coalition failed.

The Malacañang-endorsed tandem of Vice Gov. John Gregory Osmeña and Adelino Sitoy is running against the independent teams of Gwendolyn Garcia and Julian Daan, and Celestino Martinez Jr. and Gregorio Sanchez.

Also joining the tight race are Medellin councilor Jose Marie Os-meña, who filed his candidacy for governor under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, and his running mate, media personality Crispin Villajos.

Fernando Celeste filed his candidacy for vice governor under the Probinsya Muna Development Initiative (Promdi). He was without a gubernatorial bet.

Reporters waited up to midnight Monday to see if former governor Lito Osmeña would seek an elective post, but he never turned up.

It instead heightened speculations that the volatile line-up was headed for more surprises.

Gwendolyn earlier carried the Lakas-Christian-Muslim Democrats’ banner and Martinez Jr. the Nationalist People’s Coalition’s. But after failed unification efforts, both are running as independents.

Virtually a dark horse, Sitoy, a former provincial board member and assemblyman, surprised political pundits when he filed his certificate of candidacy for vice governor at 2:25 p.m. Monday under the Lakas-CMD party.

He brought with him a certificate of party nomination signed by Lakas-CMD chairman and Speaker Jose De Venecia and executive director Joey Rufino.

Sitoy was himself surprised by the turn of events but he modestly called himself a "spare" when interviewed about his nomination over radio station dyLA.

Daan, a radio personality, withdrew his candidacy for a provincial seat and instead fielded his wife, Yolanda. He is running for vice governor with Garcia, daughter of incumbent Gov. Pablo Garcia.

There are at least 30 candidates for the provincial board and at least 15 for Congress.

Alex Bolongaita is running for first district congressman under Promdi, against Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas, while medico-legal officer Jesus Cerna is running as third district congressman under an independent ticket.

A hotly contested race is expected in the fifth congressional district with another Durano scion running against re-electionist Rep. Joseph Ace Durano.

Rosemarie Durano Dira, Ace’s first-degree cousin, filed her certificate of candidacy under the Martinez camp. She is a daughter of Jesus Don Durano, who is running for Danao City mayor against his own brother, incumbent Mayor Ramonito Durano, Ace’s father.— Freeman News Service