Mayor's league wants Loot to name names

CEBU, Philippines – The League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Cebu Chapter decided to censure Daanbantayan Mayor Maria Luisa Loot for her harsh statements against Gov-ernor Gwendolyn Garcia.

The body, which is headed by the governor's brother, Mayor Nelson Garcia of Dumanjug, will also come up with a resolution of support for the governor.

This was decided during a meeting held at the Casino Español de Cebu yesterday.

The LMP-Cebu Chapter is reportedly going to make its statement of support to Governor Garcia during the general assembly set on September 3.

Mayor Garcia said that their organization feels that the statements made by Mayor Loot against the governor were childish.

Loot said earlier this week that many mayors have gripes against the governor, who she described as a nagger.

This stemmed after Governor Garcia scolded Loot for coming to Capitol to ask for financial assistance for the Haladaya festival of their town set late this month.

Garcia got angry at Loot because she allegedly had the gall to ask for support from Capitol when her town did not join last weekend's Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, which is touted as the festival of festivals.

The Haladaya festival entry of Bantayan was the champion of last year's Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.

Loot claimed that it was difficult for them to join this year's event since it would entail an expense of P1.2 million, which their town can't afford.

Mayor Nelson Garcia said that Loot should have raised her complaints on the right forum.

The chapter head of the LMP said that his fellow mayors are very concerned because Loot's statement dragged their names into the issue.

He also challenged the mayor of Daanbantayan to name names if her allegations are indeed true.

 He added that Loot's statement does not speak well of her being a chief executive of her town.

"You have to act as one. Don't be childish in going around media with these below the belt accusations, which is not meant of a mayor. We would like to remind her that she's a chief executive and she has to act like one," Mayor Garcia said.

While they have already taken moves against Loot, Mayor Garcia said that they would invite her to the general assembly on September 3 to air her side.

Governor Garcia were welcome the move of the LMP-Cebu Chapter to reiterate its support to her.

"I suppose these Mayors know how to see what we've done and what we will be doing to their towns, anyway I have my track record to back me up," the governor said.

She also announced earlier that the tirades that Loot made against her are grounds to expel the town official from the One Cebu Party.

Loot, however, had already said earlier that she would prefer to be an independent as she lamented on the treatment she got from the governor, who their family had supported since the first time Garcia sought office in 2004. - /NLQ (FREEMAN)