Loren hopes to get Gwen's support.

CEBU, Philippines - EVEN if she has yet to formally solicit the support of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Senator and vice presidential aspirant Loren Legarda has showed optimism that she will get the support of the governor even if she is running under the opposition.

Legarda said she believe that Garcia will help her because they “shared the same advocacies” for the environment and for the preservation of the Filipino culture and heritage. Likewise, the senator said the governor is also her “kumadre.”

Legarda, who will be running in tandem with senator and Nacionalista Party standard bearer Manuel Villar, stood as one of the wedding sponsors of the governor’s daughter, Cristina, who wed Liloan Mayor Duke Frasco earlier this year.

“I would love it for Governor Gwen to endorse me,” was her answer when asked if she is expecting the governor to make her formal endorsement before the Cebuano voting populace.

As to whether or not she is negotiating with other local politicians to support her,Legarda said she do not do political negotiations, adding what she had been doing is to ask friends to help her based on her advocacies.

Legarda, who was in town yesterday to host a meeting with the members of the municipal mayors’ league, said she respect the commitment already given by incumbent Cebu City officials to other vice presidential candidates.

But she added she is also hoping that the city officials will come into a realization who among the vice presidential aspirants is a better candidate.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has already declared his support to Senator Mar Roxas.

Legarda believes that she is the better candidate for the vice president because she claimed to be the only vice presidential aspirant who has a clear platform of government. Her agenda is pro-people and good governance, she added.

Likewise, she said she is also for the protection of the rights of women and children and work for the peace in Mindanao.

Legarda, who has been an advocate for the environment, yesterday challenged the other aspirants for the vice president to talk about climate change and to debate about it. According to her, the issue of climate change is very crucial and she is the only candidate who has the advocacy against it. “We need green leaders now,” she stressed.

Although she is a “little” behind in the recent surveys, Legarda said she is not worried about it as winning the election is not a problem for her because she had been elected number one senator of the country. — Fred P. Languido/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)