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Left without a choice, Panaghiusa may end up endorsing the candidacy of former Cebu City councilor Hilario Davide III for governor, said former senator John Osmeña.
?There is no other one,? Osmeña told CEBU DAILY NEWS after Tourism Secretary Joseph ?Ace? Durano turned down Panaghiusa's offer for him to run for governor in media interviews.
Osmeña said they were also uncertain about Vice Gov. Greg Sanchez' plans.
?Ug dili si Greg, alangan adto mi ni (If not Greg, we certainly won't go to) Gwen,? Osmeña told CDN.
The former senator said Panaghiusa members would hold a convention on Nov. 16 to identify their gubernatorial candidate.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia will also hold a convention of One Cebu members within this month.
The convention will fill up four vacant slots including for vice governor and Provincial Board Members in the fourth, fifth and sixth districts.
?I shall listen to party leaders in the district then we shall settle the congressional race with due process,? the governor said.
Osmeña said he is coordinating with Panaghiusa supporters in the first, third and sixth districts and help them come up with a slate.
Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr. is in charge of the second, fourth and fifth districts of Cebu.
Osmeña was hopeful that Panaghiusa can identify a candidate whom they would present during the Panaghiusa convention as an alternative to Davide.
?It would be ridiculous to call a convention if there is no competitor to Davide who has been anointed by LP,? he said.
Davide, who didn't show up at yesterday afternoon's launching of the ?Good versus Evil? movement at the Archbishop's Palace on Jakosalem Street, Cebu City to avoid casting partisan political color on the event, said he was still uncertain if he would be endorsed by the LP.
As the party provincial chairman, Davide said he is more concerned about visiting the various local government units in Cebu to present the candidacy of Senators Benigno Aquino III and Manuel Roxas III.
?It is not automatic that I am the standard bearer for the group because in LP there is a process that we have to follow. But if drafted formally, I will consider the possibility of running,? he said.
Davide met Sanchez on Friday afternoon where they discussed the vice governor?s relationship with Garcia.
A third party arranged their meeting, said Davide.
?It as just a friendly discussion. More of getting to know each other,? he said.
Davide said they were aware that Sanchez was also having separate discussions with the Nacionalista Party of Senator Manuel Villar.
He said it would be awkward for him to make political proposals.
Davide said there was no hurry in the selection of the LP candidate for governor.
?We realize that time is of the essence but we also have to make sure that our choice of candidate will carry what Noynoy and Mar stands for,? Davide told CDN.
He is not affected with the recent Cebu visit of more moneyed presidential candidates who are courting the support of local politicians.
The LP, he said, would continue to have its own supporters ? those who clamor for change in the country's system of government.
Sources said board member Agnes Magpale may be considered to run for vice governor because of her closeness with the governor.
Rep. Pablo John Garcia of the third district of Cebu is also an option.
?Since governor Garcia is now going into her third term, another Garcia had to be groomed to run for governor in 2013,? said the CDN source who requested anonymity.
Rep. Garcia could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Governor Garcia said in an earlier interview that she wanted to consult with One Cebu members of their selection of candidates.
One Cebu needed new PB candidates for the fourth, fifth and sixth district to replace third term PB members Jose Maria Gastardo (4th), Judy Durano (5th) and Victor Maambong (6th).
There is also the issue on the sixth district representation which Garcia would have to address.
Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz of 6th district is on her last term and plans to run for mayor against re-electionist Mayor Jonas Cortes.
Maambong and former Mandaue mayor Thadeo Ouano are interested of the district post.
Also said to be interested are businessman Glen Soco and a Quisumbing family member.
Governor Garcia and Rep. Garcia have earlier selected third term Balamban mayor Alex Binghay as their for PB in the third district.
Binghay would tandem with re-electionist PB member Ian Zambo.
Board member Victoria Corominas of Panaghiusa said she was seeking re-election in the district.
Former district representative Antonio Yapha said he was still thinking whether or not to run for district representation or team up with Corominas for a PB seat.With Reporter Marian Z. Codilla
