CEBU, Philippines — Cebu gubernatorial candidate Ace Durano has distanced himself from his party’s decision to support the presidential bid of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. in the upcoming May 9 elections.
Durano said he lobbied to the leadership of Partido Pilipino sa Pagbabago (PPP) not to endorse a presidential candidate.
“Sa ako man gud pagtuyok-tuyok daghan sa atong PPP candidates naglain-lain ang presidente. So mao to akong gi-propose nila nga dili na lang ta mag official candidate og president, papilion na lang nato ang mga local candidates kon kinsay ilang suportahan,” Durano said.
While he did not agree to the decision, Durano vowed to respect his party’s decision.
"Ni-commit man ko nila nga kun unsay madesisyonan ninyo akong respetoan, so mao man gyud na ang demokrasya, kun unsay madesisyonan sa kadaghanan akong respetohan. Mao na... akong girespetohan ang desisyon sa PPP nga ang official candidate for president is BBM," Durano said.
He was not clear whether he would toe the line and also campaign for Marcos. Durano, however, said during their grand rally at St. Scholastica’s Academy in Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City last Tuesday evening that they have agreed to focus on their Cebu Priority Development Agenda.
"Kahibalo man sad ang PPP sa pagsugod pa lang gyud, kaning among kampanya ni Vice Gov ( Hilario Davide III), it was not about political alliances. Nahibalo man sad sila nga ang direksyon sa among pangampanya is to really unite multi-sectoral organization for a better Cebu nga kalihokan," he told reporters at the rally.
Prior to the grand rally, supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo were hoping that Durano would join Davide’s endorsement of Robredo after their meeting in Danao City last week.
Robredo and her runningmate, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, met with the Duranos of Danao City led Mayor Nito Durano on April 21. According to Ace, there was no decision yet from his party when the vice president met them.
In fact, Ace claimed to have been authorized by the party leadership to meet with Robredo. During the meeting Robredo was invited by Davide to join their grand rally in Talisay which she also obliged.
But the vice president decided not to attend the rally upon learning the PPP’s endorsement of Marcos. — FPL (FREEMAN)