3 Mayors jump to LP

CEBU, Philippines - The Liberal Party in Cebu has claimed that it is gaining strength following the shift in allegiance of three opposition mayors.

Mayors Inocentes Cabaron of Moalboal, Jose Esgana of  Santa Fe, and Salvador dela Fuente, Vice Mayor Floreto Batayola and eight councilors of Madridejos, have taken their oath Tuesday before LP national president, Senate President Franklin Drilon, in Quezon City.

Present during the oath taking were LP secretary-general, Western Samar Representative Mel Senen Sarmiento; Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, Representative Wilfredo Caminero, and Provincial Board Members Peter John Calderon and Celestino “Tining” Martinez III.

Of the 51 mayors in the Province of Cebu, 30 were from LP, the party claimed, while the remaining 21 were either with the One Cebu-led opposition or independent.

“It certainly shows that the party is gaining strength within the district,” said Martinez, LP fourth district chairperson.

Esgana and dela Fuente were allies of fourth district Representative Benhur Salimbangon of National Unity Party (NUP)-One Cebu.

“That for me is democracy in its real sense. This is not unusual, its politics and I truly respect their decision,” Salimbangon said.

He said the LP and the NUP have a coalition in the national level.

Of the nine mayors in the fourth district, Salimbangon is left with four mayors of Bantayan, Tabuelan, Tabogon and Medellin, while five mayors of Bogo City, San Remigio, Daanbantayan, Santa Fe and Madridejos are now with LP.

“We are also still working on building new relationship and restoring old one,” Martinez added.

Dela Fuente said he has talked with Salimbangon on the decision of the majority prior to the oath taking.

“Okey ra man siya pag-estorya namo,” said Dela Fuente, who is on his last term.

Salimbangon expressed confidence that his group is still strong come 2016 elections when he will seek for his last term in Congress.

Engineer Romeo Villaceran, who is eyeing the mayorship in Madridejos in 2016 under LP, said he cannot predict yet what would be the scenario while Dela Fuente said he has no idea yet who the LP would field for mayor.   (FREEMAN)