In a free zone, who hosts national bets?

AS the official campaign period nears, Liberal Party (LP) candidates in the City of Naga are at a quandary on how to deal with LP national candidates who will visit Cebu.

After the province’s first district was declared a free zone, Naga Councilor Venci del Mar said, local LP allies are not sure about where to take the LP leaders if they visit. Del Mar is running for mayor under LP.

Del Mar and his slate went to the Capitol last Tuesday and met with Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III to discuss preparations for the campaign.

Davide has declared the district a free zone after former secretary Mar Roxas, the party’s presidential candidate, declared support for the reelection campaign of Rep. Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas of Alayon Party.

Gullas and his Alayon partymates in the district also declared their support for Roxas, Davide and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, but will field their own candidates against LP aspirants in the district.

Despite the problems it may create in the local ranks, national candidates often seek to forge as many local alliances, especially in vote-rich provinces like Cebu. When she first ran for the presidency in 2004, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had alliances with the three major candidates for governor then. Party alliances also determine access to official election documents.

In an interview, Davide said he learned of the confusion from his Naga partymates.

“As long as LP (leaders go to them, they should entertain them)... national candidates gud na (They are national candidates, after all),” Davide said.

Davide said they are also asking for funding and logistical support.

“I said maningkamot gyud ta sa partido (the party should do its best). I told them please don’t expect that there will be big funding. Kahibaw man gyud mo sa partido (You already know how the party did in the past). I told them that in our time in 2010 and 2013, the party funds were limited because there were so many candidates who needed help,” Davide said.

The campaign period for national candidates will start on Feb. 9 and for the local candidates, March 25.