Sanchez sealed deal with another party - PJ

CEBU, Philippines - Third District Representative Pablo John Garcia yesterday belied the statements issued by Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez that the latter remains undecided on his political plans for next year’s polls.

Garcia, secretary general of One Cebu party from which Sanchez recently pulled out, said the vice governor reportedly has ironed out his plans for 2010 even before his announcement to quit One Cebu.

In fact, Sanchez is reportedly set to announce his bid for the gubernatorial post today.

“Sanchez had, months before, concluded negotiations with another political party to be its candidate for governor in May next year,” Garcia said in a press statement.

“His people have been claiming that they have already secured funding from this political party. So what’s this drama about his plans being uncertain?” the statement further reads.

In early interviews, Sanchez said he was forced to leave One Cebu after the Garcias decided to welcome Tuburan Mayor Constancio Suezo and his wife Rosemarie, the town’s vice mayor, into the party. Aside from the fact that he was very much against it, Sanchez said he was slighted by the move because he reportedly was not consulted about the decision.

Sanchez is expected to submit his formal resignation from the party today while the Suezos are expected to take their oath to One Cebu within the month.

Garcia, however, denied that Sanchez was not given importance by the party, saying the vice governor was given access “to more funds by way of Legislative Assistance Fund” and “more” consultants and staffs “than any other vice governor in history.”

“But of course, people don’t know this because he spent a substantial chunk of it only for his favored barangays in Tuburan, with some barangays given more than a million pesos each,” Garcia said. He added that the vice governor was given “everything he demanded from the governor and was accorded all the courtesies attaching to his office.”

“In all provincial projects, the vice governor is given equal billing and equal prominence with the governor in public information signages,” he added.

Garcia said it is “clear” that the vice governor only wants “to play martyr” in this situation. — Liv G. Campo/JMO (THE FREEMAN)