17 Mayors in Davao rally behind Gibo

DIGOS CITY—-At least 17 incumbent mayors in Davao del Sur and DavaoOriental are fully backing the presidential bid of Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard-bearer Gibo Teodoro until the May 10 balloting, local political kingmakers said.

Rep. Franklin Bautista of the second district of Davao del Sur saidthat they are fully supporting Gibo because of his superior capabilityto lead the country.“ Grabe ang push namin kay Gibo dito sa Davao del Sur (We’re pushingvery hard Gibo in Davao del Sur),” said Bautista.

An estimated 80,000 to 90,000 voters will go for Gibo in the May 10 balloting in Davao del Sur as we have been campaigning hard for him even in the mountains, Bautista said.

Davao del Sur has a voting population of some 140,000, he said.Bautista said that political operators of other presidential bets in this homestretch of the campaign period have been trying to sway him to abandon Gibo, but he rejected them with the conviction that the former defense secretary is the best to become the country’s next leader.

Gibo has been campaigning on a positive mode devoid of mudslinging,and has been pushing his bid mainly on his “Sulong Pilipinas”platform.

Mayor John Harvey Johnson of Don Marcelino town said he is backing Gibo because of his doable programs on how to improve the country.“We believe that of all the candidates, Gibo will make the best out ofthe Philippines because of his platform of governance,” said Johnson.

Johnson said he and his ward leaders are campaigning hard for Gibo in the town’s 15 barangays, targeting to deliver 12,000 votes to the former defense secretary, out of the town’s total voting population of 21,000.“Gibo is very strong in Davao del Sur, majority of the mayors in the province are supporting his bid,” Johnson said.

Mayor Jerry Cawa of Sarangani town, who is seeking his last term unopposed, said his town of around 14,000 voters will deliver majorityof the votes to Gibo.“Our town is very solid for Gibo,” Cawa stressed.“Among all the presidential bets, it’s only Gibo without any issues of corruption. His record in government service is sterling,” the mayor added.

Sarangani, which is an island-town, is about nine hours of boat and land travel to the mainland Davao del Sur, but Cawa said he and several supporters will travel to Malita town where Gibo is slated fora rally today (Saturday).

Aside from Johnson and Cawa, the other mayors in Davao del Sur for Gibo are Antonio Razonable (Padada), Jess Lumanog (Magsaysay) JaimeCaminero (Kiblawan), Arsenio Latasa (Digos City), Benjamin Bautista Jr. (Malita), said Mayor Rudy Mariscal of Sta. Maria town, who is also the president of the mayors’ league in the province.

In Mati City, the capital of Davao Oriental, Mayor Michelle Rabat also rallied behind Gibo, adding the mayors of Lupon and Banaybanay towns are also strongly supporting him.“He’s the most qualified to be the president of our country,” Rabat said.

Mati City, with a voting population of 58,000, will go for Gibo especially the youth and the professionals, she added.

Rep. Thelma Almario of the second district of Davao Oriental, said they expect to deliver some 100,000 votes for Gibo in the province.She praised Gibo for mounting a positive campaign. “He’s not into mudslinging, unlike the other bets.“We believe in Gibo’s competence, integrity and his platform of governance which is what exactly what our country needs,” Almario said.

In Laak, Compostela Valley Mayor Reynaldo Navarro said he is stickingwith Gibo until judgement day on May 10, Sunstar-Davao reported recently.Of the 11 mayors in the province, Navarro is one of the six local government leaders who vowed to support the presidential candidacy of Gibo.He identified the five other mayors as Lito Brillantes of Monkayo,Voltair Rimando of Maco, Hadji Mu¤oz of Mabini, Celso Sarinas of Pantukan, and Macario Humol of Nabunturan.

Earlier, Rep. Antonio “Anton” Lagdameo, Jr. of Davao del Norte, who isrunning unopposed in the second district, assured Gibo anew of all-outsupport until the election day on May 10.“I fully support the continued run of Gibo for the presidency despiteall obstacles being faced [by him],” said Lagdameo, husband of actress Dawn Zulueta. -30-