CEBU CITY, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay on Tuesday, February 16, promised Cebu that he would prioritize the vote-rich province in his eyed mega infrastructure program if he is elected president.

Binay made the vow at the formal launch of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA)-One Cebu alliance at the Waterfront Hotel.

“Under my presidency, each region and province will have funding for at least one mega project per year. And we will start here in Cebu,” the UNA standard-bearer said.

Binay first bared his plan to build a major infrastructure project per region and per province at a forum in December 2015, but did not say then that Cebu would be the first beneficiary of the program.

In his speech, the Vice President accused the Aquino administration of neglecting Cebu. He cited a National Competitiveness Council survey that ranked Cebu as the 3rd most competitive in the country in 2015, when it used to be ranked first.

He also promised Cebuanos that he would reopen Malacañang sa Sugbo – first established by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2004 as the official residence of the Philippine president in the Visayas – as a point of access for people in the region to reach the president.

Arroyo had established Malacañang sa Sugbo to show her gratitude to the province, which is credited for her controversial, narrow victory over the late actor Fernando Poe Jr in the 2004 elections.

Cebu province has the highest number of registered voters in the country. According to figures released by the Commission on Elections, Cebu now has 2.7 million registered voters, up by 200,000 from 2.5 million in 2013. 

While Binay won the vice presidency in 2010, he lost to Manuel Roxas II in Cebu, getting only 400,000 votes while Roxas secured over a million votes. Both candidates are gunning for the presidency in the May elections.

Alliance formalized

Following its formalized alliance with UNA, One Cebu promised to help deliver victory for UNA candidates in Cebu in the upcoming elections.

UNA’s gubernatorial bet, Winston Garcia, is running against the Liberal Party’s bet, reelectionist Governor Hilario Davide III.   

One Cebu’s Pablo John “PJ” Garcia said that UNA and One Cebu have been long-time allies, and that day’s launch only formalized that relationship.

Former Cebu governor, now Cebu 3rd District Representative Gwen Garcia recalled Binay’s support for her when she was suspended in 2012.  “When I was suspended and persecuted by the administration, it was Vice President Jejomar Binay who stood up for me,” she said.

She also said “it is crucial that Cebuanos elect a president that will cooperate with the provincial government of Cebu.”

In December 2012 – months before the 2013 elections – UNA leaders headed by Binay flew to Cebu to express their support for the then Cebu governor, who had defied a suspension order. (READ: Cebu and Garcia suspension: Whose battle is it?)

The Office of the Ombudsman issued a 6-month suspension on Garcia for grave abuse of authority for usurping the powers of then Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez in 2010.

There are 6 Garcias running in May. Aside from Winston, Gwen and Pablo are running for congressional seats in their respective districts.

Former Barili vice mayor Marlon Garcia, Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia, and Gwen’s daughter, Christina, are all running for mayor in their respective municipalities. – Rappler.com