Bakud Party proclaims bets for 2016 elections

CEBU, Philippines - The Durano-led Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) Party proclaimed yesterday its complete slate in the fifth district of Cebu for the 2016 elections.

The party is the first in the province to hold its convention and nomination of candidates.

The party has recruited Liloan Vice Mayor Lucelito Pilapil from One Cebu Party as its mayoralty candidate. Liloan Mayor Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco who can no longer seek reelection is the only mayor in the fifth district who is not a member of Bakud.

Pilapil has refused to be interviewed by reporters after he took his oath as Bakud member together with his slate.

Bakud president and Danao City Vice Mayor Ramon ‘Red” Durano VI said the fifth district strongly supports the administration party because they were able to deliver the services to the people.

 Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said the event speaks the leadership of Bakud Party and the unity of the members.

“Ang prinsipyo sa Bakud nga service mao usab ang prinsipyo sa Liberal Party,” Magpale said.

Governor Hilario Davide III, provincial chairman of LP, which Bakud Party had forged alliance in 2013 elections, was invited to the event.

“Diha nako nakita sa Bakud ang sinsero nga serbisyo sa kalungsuran. I credit my victory sa Bakud in 2013,” Davide said.

 Davide and Magpale were also proclaimed the official candidates of Bakud Party for governor and vice governor, respectively.

 Bakud Party vice president and Representative Joseph Felix Mari “Ace” Durano disclosed that out of 1,778 elected officials in the firth district, 89 percent or 1,589 belong to Bakud.

 “Diha makita nato ang kalidad sa ato miyembro, diha sad nato makita ang pagsalig sa katawhan sa atong mga opisyal,” Rep. Durano said.

 He added that he is confident that they would still get the support of the people in the next elections.

 Aside from Davide and Magpale, Danao City Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III, Red, Ace, Provincial Board Members Jude Thaddeus Durano and Miguel Antonio Magpale are also seeking reelections.

 Other reelectionists are Mayors Martin Gerard Villamor of Carmen, Dan Jusay of Catmon, Joel Quiño of Compostela, Luciano Rama Jr. of Poro, Aly Arquillano of San Francisco, Lissa Marie Durano-Streegan of Sogod and Erwin Yu of Tudela.

 Borbon Vice Mayor Neal Vergara is running for mayor while Mayor Bernard Sepulveda is on his last term.  (FREEMAN)