KUSUG, panaghiusa merged: Garcia-Daluz tandem now official

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia and Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) chairman Joey Daluz III are teaming up for the upcoming 2025 elections as mayor and vice mayor, respectively.

Daluz made the official announcement of their tandem as the filing of the certificates of candidacy begins today. The Garcia-Daluz tandem also necessitates the merger of their political parties.

Garcia announced that his Kugi Uswag Sugbo (KUSUG) Party will merge with Daluz’ Partido Panaghiusa. The leaders of both parties allegedly agreed to field Garcia as their standard bearer.

Earlier, Daluz expressed interest in running for mayor. He said his plans changed and decided to join Garcia after the latter was allegedly chosen by the Palace to be the administration’s mayoralty bet.

“Ako lang tan-aw, there will be more, more benefit sa Cebu City if the local government official will be aligned with the administration, so I heed the call of unity sa atong administration, and ni align nalang ko ni Raymond,” said Daluz

“Ako lang sa tabangan si Raymond and the government…Yes (I will be running for Vice Mayor). Nagsabot naman gyud mi, so I am just there to help. Actually, di na man gyud ta ko ganahan mudagan,” he added.

In a separate interview, Garcia confirmed the merger of their parties but said there is no finality yet as to what position he would be running.

Both KUSUG and Partido Panaghiusa were in a coalition with suspended Mayor Michael Rama’s BARUG Party during the 2022 elections.

Meanwhile, Garcia has confirmed that incumbent Cebu City North District Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar will be their official candidate for congress in the north district. There was no mention yet on who will be their bet for the south district.

The two parties, however, will be nominating names to complete their line up for councilors. Among the names that Panaghiusa Party has nominated for councilor are Rj Osmena, and Glena Bontuyan for the north district. The six other slots will be filled by KUSUG Party.

For the south district, Panaghiusa nominated Eugene Labella, Ophel Abellanosa, and Dave Tumulak, who is also the chairman of Panaghiusa.

Daluz said they are planning to file their certificate of candidacy on October 8, 2024. — (FREEMAN)