Garcia tells 6th district heads to end bickering

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday renewed her call to local officials in the province to refrain from political bickering and prioritize the delivery of basic service to their constituents.

Garcia, who spoke before the local and barangay officials of the 6th district during yesterday’s gathering at the Capitol Social Hall, urged them to unite for the development of the province rather than be swayed by divisive politics.

“Usahay kaning mangil-ad nga bulok sa politika basin unya maoy mahimong hinungdan nga kita magbuak-buak,” Garcia said before the distribution of financial assistance to the barangays of the 6th district.

Garcia said unity should prevail beyond the divisiveness of politics and personal interest to work for the people.

Among those present during the distributions of the financial assistance were Provincial Board member Wenceslao Gakit, who represented the 6th district of Cebu, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and councilors of the respective local government units.

In a separate interview with the reporters, Cortes agreed with the governor to set aside politics and concentrate on delivering the basic services to the people.

But Cortes admitted that there is really conflict between him and 6th district Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz especially as the former is set to run for the mayoralty seat in 2010 against him.

Cortes, who is a Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats member, said that Ruiz should set an example and live up to the vision of the party, which is to respect the equity of the incumbent.

Ruiz, who is on her third and last term, is the vice president for the Visayas of the administration party, Lakas-Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino-CMD.

Cortes and Ruiz both belong to Lakas-Kampi-CMD, but are in rival local alliances. They both announced plans to run for mayor of Mandaue in 2010, raising questions on who would be the party’s official candidate.

Cortes said he wanted the “equity of the incumbent” rule observed in Mandaue, wherein the sitting official automatically becomes the party’s official candidate for re-election. Cortes said that with Ruiz as the party’s vice president for the Visayas, she is expected to favor herself.

Gov. Garcia, who is the president of the One Cebu party, an affiliate of President Gloria Arroyo’s political party, Kampi, is still mum on her plans for next year’s elections. — Garry B. Lao/BRP (THE FREEMAN)