One Cebu
| One Cebu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President | Gwendolyn Garcia |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Cebu City |
| Ideology |
Conservatism Social Conservatism Populism |
| Political position | Center-right |
| International affiliation | None |
| Colors | Blue, Yellow |
| Website | |
| www.cebu.gov.ph | |
|
Politics of Philippines Political parties Elections | |
One Cebu (1-CEBU) is a provincial political party based in the province of Cebu. It is headed by Gwendolyn Garcia, the former governor of Cebu.
History
The party was formed in response to the Sugbuak, or the failed Cebu-split movement, in time for the 2007 general elections. A brainchild of three Cebuano representatives who were in their last terms of office, Sugbuak entailed the supposed splitting of Cebu province into four independent provinces.[1]
In founding One Cebu, the Garcia family and their supporters capitalized on the widespread opposition to the Sugbuak movement, declaring that there is only one Cebu; hence, the party's name.[2] They later left the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, once the dominant majority party in national politics, and joined former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's political party, the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi).[3] The party's strength is further bolstered by internal alliances with the Alang sa Kalambuan ug Kalinaw (Alayon) party in the first district, led by the Gullas family,[4] and the Barog Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) party of the Durano family in the fifth district.[5] This is said to be reason for Gov. Garcia's wide margin (by around half a million votes) in the votes cast for governor in the 2007 elections.[6]
A year after Benigno Aquino III was elected President of the Philippines in 2010, One Cebu again switched party allegiance—this time, to the National Unity Party, of which former Cebu governor Pablo Garcia is a member.[7]
One Cebu Today
As of the last elections for the House of Representatives, One Cebu holds 7 out of 277 seats. Cebu's six congressional districts and the newly created district of Lapu-Lapu City are currently represented by the following members of One Cebu:
- Rep. Eduardo R. Gullas (first district)
- Rep. Pablo P. Garcia (second district)
- Rep. Pablo John F. Garcia (third district)
- Rep. Benhur L. Salimbangon (fourth district)
- Rep. Ramon H. Durano VI (fifth district)
- Rep. Gabriel Luis R. Quisumbing (sixth district)
- Rep. Arturo O. Radaza (lone district, Lapu-Lapu City)
One Cebu also dominates the provincial council with Gov. Garcia and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale leading a large majority of Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, plus the presidents of the local Liga ng mga Barangay, Sangguniang Kabataan and the Councilors' League. In the local level, the party has the backing of 31 out of 53 city and municipal mayors throughout Cebu.[8]
2010 National and Local Elections
In the 2010 national elections, One Cebu strongly campaigned for the candidacy of Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro, Jr., the standard bearer of the now-merged Lakas-Kampi-CMD party. Gov. Garcia promised that Cebu will give 1 million votes to Teodoro, but local election results showed the latter behind then presumptive president-elect Aquino who got more than 400,000 votes.[9]
Gov. Garcia selected businessman Glenn Anthony Soco to be her running mate in the 2010 elections. Gov. Garcia and Soco are said to have a 'romantic relationship,' which created much media hype.[10]
The vice gubernatorial hopeful, however, still lost to the late former vice governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr., who is the founding vice president of One Cebu. Sanchez later bolted out of Gov. Garcia's group after One Cebu welcomed Tuburan, Cebu mayor Constancio Suezo and his team as party members.[11] The former vice governor was against the inclusion of Suezo's group after they allegedly failed to maintain the peace and order situation in the town.[12]
2013 Local Elections
In 2010, Rep. Pablo John Garcia, the governor's brother, announced that he and Soco will be One Cebu’s candidates for governor and vice governor, respectively, in the 2013 local elections.[13] But in May 2011, Pablo John said he decided not to run for governor because he wants to continue serving his home district.[14]
References
- ↑ "'Sugbuak'". The Manila Bulletin Online. Uploaded October 22, 2006.
- ↑ "New provinces or cities: More politicians?". Philstar.com. Uploaded January 30, 2008.
- ↑ "Lakas downplays rift with Kampi, Garcias’ breakaway". Inquirer.net. Posted February 11, 2007.
- ↑ "Mongaya: Misunderstood alliance". SunStar Cebu Online. Published April 11, 2010.
- ↑ "Another Cebu influential political clan backs Gibo". Inquirer.net. Uploaded April 7, 2010.
- ↑ "Gwendolyn Garcia, first woman governor of Cebu". Asian Journal. Published July 28, 2010.
- ↑ "Wenceslao: One Cebu wins round". SunStar Cebu Online. Published February 5, 2011.
- ↑ "Barili mayor moves out of One Cebu, joins LP". Cebu Daily News/Inquirer.net. Published October 16, 2011.
- ↑ "How Cebu voted for national officials". Cebu Daily News at Wordpress.com. Uploaded May 18, 2010.
- ↑ "Gwen ug Glenn may "date" karon". Banat/PhilStar.com. Uploaded February 14, 2010.
- ↑ "Greg Sanchez leaves One Cebu". PhilStar.com. Uploaded November 4, 2009.
- ↑ "Greg Sanchez leaves One Cebu". PhilStar.com. Uploaded November 4, 2009.
- ↑ "PJ-Glenn tandem; One Cebu bares 2013 candidates". PhilStar.com. Uploaded December 23, 2010.
- ↑ "PJ: I won’t run for gov in 2013". SunStar Cebu Online. Published May 4, 2011.
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