CEBU CITY — A local political party here that was founded in 1983 has formalized its alliance with City Mayor Michael Rama and his group.
Partido Panaghiusa also held its induction of its new set of officers on Tuesday, December 14, at Mariner’s Court with former City Councilor Joey Daluz III and former City Administrator Floro Casas Jr. taking their oaths as the party’s president and chairman, respectively.
Daluz is the son of Nenita “Inday Nita” Cortes-Daluz, who founded Panaghiusa and one of those who fought the dictatorship of late President Ferdinand Marcos.
In forging an alliance with Rama’s Partido Barug, Panaghiusa will be backing the reelection bid of the incumbent mayor and his running mate Raymond Garcia.
Rama took over as city mayor following the death of then mayor Edgardo Labella last month.
The alliance ended speculations that Panaghiusa will be cutting its ties with Rama’s party to support independent mayoralty candidate Councilor Dave Tumulak.
“With this coalition, we are reiterating our support to Mayor Rama,” Daluz said.
Daluz added that Panaghiusa is supporting the candidacies of Councilors Niña Mabatid and Edu Rama, who are vying for congressional seats in the city’s North and South Districts, respectively.
Supporting Mabatid and Rama is part of the party’s goal to add two more districts in the city.
“One district must have a population of 250,000 people. Cebu City already at least 1.3 milion population so it is already qualified to have four districts,” said Daluz.
Daluz said adding two more districts “will give more services to the city.”
Daluz disclosed that Panaghiusa “already agreed in principle” to back the presidential run of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and the presidential bid of Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Rama has previously announced that it will be supporting the presidential run of Senator of Bong Go.
Rama’s party has yet to name a presidential candidate that it will be endorsing after Go withdrew his candidacy.