Ricardo “Cano Gwapo” Tan, independent candidate for Bacolod councilor, said on Thursday, April 28, that he has decided to disaffiliate himself from the Aksyon Demokratiko party of presidential candidate Isko Moreno because of the apparent disrespect for his designation as the party’s chairman in Bacolod City.
Tan said he was disrespected when he was not informed of several activities of Moreno in Bacolod City.
Moreno’s activities during the political campaign have not been coordinated with him and being the party chairman in the city, such acts were damaging to his leadership, Tan said in a statement.
Tan was appointed Aksyon Demokratiko Bacolod chairperson by the party’s chairman Ernesto Ramel Jr. of Feb. 12, 2022.
Moreno arrived in Bacolod City for a series of campaign sorties and a grand rally at the Bacolod Public Plaza on Thursday.
He also went to the Bacolod City Government Center where he was met by cheering red-shirt Grupo Progreso supporters of Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
Leonardia said he is staying neutral on the choice of a presidential candidate but was giving Moreno a warm welcome because he is a friend.
He said he is thankful to Moreno for not running against him for the League of Cities of the Philippines presidency.
Tan said as Aksyon Demokratiko leader in the city, he should have been informed of the Bacolod activities of Moreno.
“I am a leader who values loyalty and respect. Since I am being bypassed and disrespected in the position given to me, I would rather disaffiliate myself. This is a bitter pill to take, but reality bites where some have shown disrespect for me,” he said.
Party affiliation is about trust and confidence, respect and loyalty, Tan said.
“This is what binds us. But if one of these conditions is being circumvented, this will affect our unity and working relations. We have a big goal to achieve. But when disrespect seeps in, this will only sink the boat,” he said.
Tan said he hopes Moreno will understand his decision, which is not “whimsical”.
“I am a good soldier of the party. But respect matters to me. In simple terms, respect begets respect”, he added.
Tan said he had wanted to advance Moreno’s campaign in Bacolod City, because he knows that Moreno is qualified for the presidency, has innovative leadership, and political will.
“However, since I was bypassed, I cannot stay anymore. I wish those who want to be me in the party of Isko Moreno good luck”, he added.
Moreno was asked for a reaction but has yet to respond.*