IT'S official.
Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III will be running again, this time for vice governor.
Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, on the other hand, will be running for governor.
The rumors of a possible "switcheroo" became true after Davide filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice governor before the Cebu Provincial Election Office earlier Tuesday, October 16.
Magpale might file Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday, October 17, as she is still waiting for her certificate of nomination and acceptance (Cona) from her mother party, the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC).
In a press conference held after he filed his COC, Davide said he decided to slide down to vice governor due to various reasons, including alleged threats being received by some of his old allies.
He said that some of his old allies were forced to shift alliances as they were threatened that cases will be filed against them or that they will be included in the narcolist.
Davide, however, refused to divulge who were threatening his allies.
Due to those threats and the Liberal Party's current standing in the political standing, Davide decided to give way to Magpale.
He also believes that President Rodrigo Duterte has a "sweet spot" for Magpale, whom he considers as a relative.
But Davide denied that his decision to run for vice governor was because he is scared of gubernatorial aspirant Cebu Representative Gwendolyn Garcia or that he was losing in various surveys conducted in the province.
"I'm not scared for myself. I'm scared for my allies," Davide added.
Meanwhile, after accepting the call to run for governor, Magpale said she assured her allies and supporters that she has a fighting chance against Garcia.
Despite the transfer of some mayors to One Cebu, Magpale said there are still some mayors, particularly from the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh districts, who are supporting her candidacy.
She added that the recent decision from the Ombudsman disqualifying Garcia from running for public office could serve as a disadvantage for the congresswoman.
"The verdict for her case has been decided. That will be one of the challenges she will have to face during the campaign period," Magpale said.
Both Magpale and Davide also denied that Malacañang was behind the switch.
"President Rodrigo Duterte doesn't want to dip his hands in local politics. Even his daughter, Sara (Duterte-Carpio) doesn't want to be involved, saying Magulo diyan sa Cebu," Magpale said, recalling her conversation with the presidential daughter during a meeting in Davao City. (JKV)