Comelec registers new party from north Cebu, led by Salimbangon

IN addition to One Cebu Party of lawyer Winston Garcia, Alayon party of former congressman Eduardo Gullas and Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) of Danao City Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III, Cebu has another political party, the Kauswagan sa Norte (KSN) Party of Rep. Benhur Salimbangon.

In a resolution promulgated last Sept. 18 and signed by Presiding Commissioner Christmas Robert Lim, the Comelec granted the petition of Salimbangon and five other officials filed last Feb. 3, 2015 to register KSN as a political party.

“Let a Certificate of Registration as a political party be issued in the name of Kauswagan sa Norte,” read the Comelec resolution.

Notice

A notice of promulgation was sent to Salimbangon, the party’s counsel, and to the Comelec’s Education and Information Department by lawyer Abigail Justine Cuaresma-Lilagan, the acting clerk of the Com- mission.

Aside from Salimbangon as chairman, the other KSN officers are Board Member Sun Shimura as vice chairman, Bantayan Mayor Ian Christopher Escario as president, Tabuelan Mayor Rex Gerona as vice president, Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez as secretary general and Madridejos Mayor Salvador dela Fuente as treasurer.

With one congressman, one board member, four mayors, several vice mayors and barangay captains, KSN is a strong political group in Northern Cebu.

Salimbangon included the voters of the 4th district of Cebu as petitioners.

“We the people of the Fourth District of the Province of Cebu, imploring the aid of the Divine Providence, recognize and share the aspirations of our people to protect and enhance its spiritual welfare and well-being, its peaceful way of life, its democratic institutions and processes, and adherence to the rule of law, love, peace and mutual respect,” reads the petition.

“We believe that these aspirations will be best served through a political party dedicated to embrace and sustain the tenets of democracy, the common objectives of peace and development under the regime of truth, freedom, justice and equal opportunity for all and committed to alleviate the plight and social impact of the marginalized sector of society,” the petition further reads.

Report

In a memorandum dated June 11, 2015, Comelec 7 Director Rafel B. Olano submitted to the Comelec in Manila the report of Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Marco R. Castillano stating that KSN exists in five municipalities and one city out of the eight municipalities and one city of the 4th District of Cebu.

Salimbangon said that although they have a new political party, he and his group will attend the general assembly of One Cebu Party on Oct. 11.