Allowed to return to capitol: Garcia leaves Capitol for last Sinulog dance

CEBU, Philippines - The crowd cheered yesterday as suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia emerged as the lead dancer of the Rosquillos Festival contingent during the closing ceremonies of the Sinulog Grand Parade.

Introduced as the Governor of Cebu, Garcia came out in a silver and white new dress by Cary Santiago, she was later joined by Liloan Mayor Duke Frasco and his wife, the Gwen’s daughter Christina Garcia-Frasco who were the only ones mentioned during the introduction of the contingent.

But the suspended governor was the first one to come out, followed by the first couple of Liloan, leading their contingent that won during the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, festival of festivals competition last year.

The manner of introduction for Garcia was anticipated due to an earlier comment by acting Governor Agnes Magpale that Garcia can dance during the Sinulog not as a representative of the province but as a devotee.

Apart from this, Garcia’s participation in the Sinulog was highly awaited due risks she might no longer be allowed to return to the Capitol.

Garcia has been holed up in the Capitol since December waiting for the decision on the Temporary Restraining Order she filed against her suspension.

The suspended governor was emotional after her dance, sharing her gratitude for the support of the crowd to her.  Prior to dancing, Garcia admitted she was anxious as it was her first time to leave the Capitol Compound since December.

She admitted too that she felt sad for what has happened to her and the province.

“I continue to stand up to what I believe is right. I know that there are risks involved but my devotion supersedes everything else,” she said.

Garcia shared that last night was the very first time she danced with the complete contingent of the Rosquillos festival. She was only able to practice with the core group of the contingent last Saturday night until Sunday dawn.

Apart from her family and mayors from the One Cebu Party who accompanies her on her way and back to the Capitol, Garcia thanked Vice President Jejomar Binay for being present to support her.

Earlier in the day, Binay, Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile and United Nationalist Alliance senatorial candidates Dick Gordon and Ernesto Maceda visited her in the Capitol.

They were welcomed by the suspended governor, her father, Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia; her brother, third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia, Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung and they were later joined by Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia and Danao City Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr.

Fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon also arrived later and he left together with his sister, Yeung, at around noon.

Binay said that they were not there for any political reason but to celebrate the Sinulog, but since they were here they decided to show their support for a good friend.

Up until the last hours of the grand parade, Garcia still did not categorically announce her participation.

“My petition is that Cebu will go back to what it was. We were a peaceful and progressive province. This is not normal time, I pray that justice and truth prevail,” she said.

Promise kept

Magpale made true on her promise to let Garcia go back to her office at the Capitol after dancing in the Sinulog.

Prior to her dance, there was report that the police are just waiting for orders from Magpale to padlock the Governor’s Office once Garcia left.

“I am not giving such order, we promised to allow her to go back,” said Magpale.

Garcia’s parents, Yeung and some friends watched her dancing on television at the Governor’s office.

Pablo said he was happy Gwen was able to dance as she usually does every year.  He admitted that the family especially Gwen’s brothers were divided in their decision to allow her to dance but Esperanza insisted for her to dance.

When Garcia left her office yesterday at around 4:30 p.m., only private security guards and some friends were left while at least five policemen also manned the Capitol Compound gate along Escario St.

Garcia returned to her office at around 8:30 p.m. last night still in her gown and hugged her parents.

“I thank the Señor Santo Niño nga nakompleto gyud nako ang akong siyam ka tuig nga I was able to fulfill my promise especially nga kini ika-siyam nga tuig inspite of all the difficulties and all the threats and possible harm, nahuman gyud, nakahimo gyud ta paghalad sa atong tinuig nga saad kang Sr. Sto. Niño,” Garcia said.

She also thanked Magpale for keeping to her promise.

Security

Police Regional Office 7 director Marcelo Garbo directed the policemen to assist the Capitol Security Unit in securing Garcia’s office while the latter was out to perform her traditional Sinulog dance.

“We allowed suspended governor Gwen to leave the premises of the Capitol and participate in the Sinulog, notwithstanding the conduct of security inspection once she goes out of the Capitol,” said Garbo.

Shortly after Garcia arrived at the grandstand, Garbo called the attention of Cebu City Police Office officer-in-charge Mariano Natuel and four policemen who escorted Garcia from the Capitol to the grandstand.

Two of the policemen were from the Special Weapons and Tactics team and the other two were police trainees from the Regional Training School.

Natuel, Garbo said, provided the security as per request by the staff from the Cebu City Hall.  In a press conference after meeting Natuel and the four policemen, Garbo said he found the request as valid as there was potential threat to Garcia’s security.

“I called Natuel’s attention because security escorts were given to suspended governor Garcia, which is necessary considering the uniqueness of the crowd,” Garbo said.

The four policemen were pulled out after escorting Garcia to the grandstand and were deployed back to their post at CCPO.  — AJ de la Torre, Gregg M. Rubio and Niña G. Sumacot/BRP (FREEMAN)