Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and members of her local political party have severed their ties with the ruling administration coalition Lakas-NUCD, saying they would be endorsing a mixed lineup of senators for the May elections.

The governor's brother and spokesman, lawyer Pablo John Garcia, however, said the party and the governor remains loyal to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

“Lakas has not been loyal to us. So I don’t think it (party) is not entitled to our loyalty," Pablo John said.

“By forming a local party, that means that we are only loyal to this party but we reaffirmed our loyalty to President Arroyo," he added.

The spokesman said Lakas did not actively endorse Governor Garcia in the 2004 elections, despite their father, then governor Pablo Garcia, being the party head in the province.

Reports said the governor and her allies were also disappointed that the Lakas leadership in the House of Representatives did not make a stand against three bills seeking to divide Cebu into four smaller provinces.

Garcia said the party will only support candidates who will publicly oppose any plans to divide Cebu.

The launching of Garcia's political party, One Cebu, was attended by some 600 mayors, town and city councilors and barangay captains last Friday.

In the 2004 elections, Cebu gave Mrs Arroyo a million-vote margin to win the presidency.

In return, the President showered Cebu with numerous projects. She also brought the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit to the island.- GMANews.TV