Governor Garcia to expel Mayor Loot from One Cebu party

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is expelling Daanbantayan Mayor Maria Luisa Loot from the One Cebu Party after Loot called her a dictator.

The governor said if Loot has not decided whether or not to leave the party the governor will make the decision easier for her and is expelling her.

"I'll make the decision easier for her if she is still undecided," she said.

Their quarrel began after Garcia scolded Loot for her town's failure to take part in last weekend's Pasigarbo sa Sugbo when Loot approached the governor to ask for financial assistance for their town festival on August 30.

The governor admitted that she was so mad as smaller towns like Pilar and Tudela in Camotes Island were able to join the event.

Garcia said that fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon and One Cebu secretary general 3rd district Rep. Pablo John Garcia will discuss her case.

Garcia also said she was furious after Loot called her a dictator.

"It takes one to know one. Sige lang siya ug tagawtaw, dili unta ko niya i-challenge now she meets her match," she said.

"Ang question kinsay mas grabe namo. Diktador ming duha pero mas grabe siya. Karon pa ko sa mayor nga mangdiktar og gobernador," Garcia said, describ-ing Loot as ungrateful.

But Garcia said her conflict with Loot will not extend to the mayor's son Provincial Board member Sun Shimura since he has nothing to do with the actions of his mother.

Meanwhile, Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia, the newly appointed president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Cebu Chapter, yesterday said that the League will come up with a resolution today regarding the issue.

Mayor Garcia yesterday said that Loot's statement that other mayors feel the same way she does about the governor was uncalled for.

Mayor Garcia said that Loot should name these mayors who are complaining about the governor's nagging attitude. -/BRP (FREEMAN)