Davide Declares First District as LP ‘Free Zone’

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III has declared Cebu’s first district as a free zone, which means he will not play favorites among candidates from his Liberal Party (LP) and the Alayon Party.

Davide said he will not campaign for first district candidates of both parties, which are both supporting the LP standard-bearer Mar Roxas.

Alayon Party members welcomed the governor’s announcement.

“We’re happy. We can now say that this is not a fake marriage,” said Carcar City Mayor Nicepuro Apura.

Roxas earlier declared support for the reelection bid of first district congressman Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas.

The move led some LP members in the first district to bolt the party, including San Fernando Mayor Antonio Canoy who will challenge Gullas’ reelection bid.

In Talisay City, still within the first district, Alayon and LP will be head to head.

Alayon founder Eduardo Gullas will contest the reelection bid of Talisay City Mayor Johnny de los Reyes, an LP member.

Davide said that he will continue to respect his relationship with Alayon, which is supporting him.

He said the decision to declare the district as a “free zone” was a difficult one because this is the first time that two opposing parties are campaigning for one presidential candidate. (PNA) CTB/EB/EDS