FORMER Cebu City Councilor Hilario Davide III was chosen as the gubernatorial candidate of Panaghiusa Party and the Liberal Party, former senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña said yesterday.

Sonny, who is planning to run for Cebu City mayor, said the choice of Davide as candidate for Cebu governor will be formalized when Senators Benigno “Noy” Aquino III and Mar Roxas come to Cebu next week.

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Panaghiusa will also finalize its candidates for vice governor, congressmen in all nine districts, Provincial Board members, mayors, vice mayors and councilors in all the cities and towns in Cebu on Nov. 18, Sonny said.

All local allies of LP will take their oath before Aquino and Roxas on that date.

Possible bets

Sonny said yesterday they still have no candidate for vice governor and are still talking to some possible bets, including Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz (Cebu, 6th district).

In a press conference, Sonny said they also considered Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez to be their candidate for governor but the Panaghiusa Party agreed last Wednesday night to field Davide instead.

“Vice Gov. Sanchez was also considered but we don’t want to offer it to him unless he is willing to run, and we did not get any indication that he wants to run so we agreed that it will be Junjun Davide,” the former senator said.

Davide, a lawyer, said last night he will wait for the official announcement of LP leaders on his selection as the gubernatorial bet, before he announces whether he will run against Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

“I was not told that a decision has been made already. I’d rather wait for an official announcement on that before I announce my decision, maybe on Nov. 18 when we take our oath as members of LP,” he said in a phone interview.

After Mayor Tomas Osmeña declined the offer to be his running mate, Sonny said yesterday that he has invited his cousin Georgia to be his candidate for vice mayor.

Continuity

Sonny said he wants to package their tandem as a continuity of the programs of the Osmeñas.

He initially discussed his proposal with Georgia during a chance meeting in a restaurant three days ago. He said that they will discuss the matter further before the Nov. 30 deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy.

But when sought for comment, Georgia said she will continue on the path where she is now.

Georgia, the mayor’s sister, also intends to run for city mayor.

“I have always considered Sonny as a senior statesman. He is an expert on political affairs. He should be my guiding light. I would consider it only because I believe the Osmeñas should unite. But, I must continue on my path. I will not be deterred from pursuing my dreams of a better Cebu. If Sonny or any of my relatives want to join me in my cause for a better Cebu, they are welcome,” she said.