Solon resigns from One Cebu party

MANILA – Cebu Rep. Pablo John Garcia on Tuesday resigned as the secretary general of One Cebu after the regional party formally endorsed the presidential candidacy of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

In a statement, Garcia, who is also a co-founder of One Cebu, said he could not support the party's decision to endorse Marcos' presidential bid.

"I have been officially informed that my party, One Cebu, has endorsed a candidate for president, a choice which, unfortunately, I cannot support," he said.

Garcia said he would continue to support the presidential bid of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, who he deems as the "most capable and best prepared to lead the country out of this many-pronged crisis that it now faces, and into the future."

He said he respects the local political party's decision, expressing hope that it would also respect his choice and direction for the May 2022 polls.

"As I intend to continue actively campaigning for Mayor Isko in the remaining days of the campaign, I am stepping down as secretary general of One Cebu in order to avoid any conflict of interest," Garcia said.

He noted that Congresswoman Lolypop Ouano-Dizon has been designated to take his place in the interim.

"I assure my party-mates that I shall continue to work hard for the victory of all local candidates of One Cebu," he said.

Officials of the One Cebu local party led by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, the UniTeam Alliance, and four cities on Tuesday formed the “One Cebu UniTeam Alliance" and "One Cebu Island UniTeam Alliance" to strengthen campaign efforts and endorse Marcos and vice presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

Under the alliance agreement, One Cebu agreed to “give its full and unqualified support, and endorse and campaign for Marcos” and “agrees to give their full and unqualified support, and endorse and campaign for the vice presidential candidate, Sara Z. Duterte.”

Marcos and Duterte thanked One Cebu for their “invaluable” endorsement, adding they were “humbled and honored” by the support.

One Cebu has members in all levels of local government in the province, from the barangays to legislative districts to the provincial leadership. (PNA)