Revilla endorses Garcia for senator in 2013

CEBU, Philippines – Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. has endorsed Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia for senator in 2013.

The early endorsement was made Tuesday night during Garcia's 55th birthday celebration at the Marco Polo Hotel.

"Alam kong malayo pa ang mararating mo, and I'm sure after 2013 meron na kayong senador na ang pangalan ay Gwen Garcia and future vice president or president of our country. . .Umaasa kayo na ang pamilyang Revilla ay hindi makakalilimot sa inyo at sa mga Cebuanos," Revilla said.  

The Senator described Garcia as the "best governor in our country." He also took advantage of the occasion to thank the Cebuanos for making him number one senator in the last May 2010 elections.

Garcia said she was elated by the kind words of Revilla but said she is not thinking beyond 2013 yet. She said she is too focused on her work as governor to think of the 2013 elections. Garcia is on her last term as governor of Cebu.

According to Garcia, she will focus her time to attend to the needs of the Cebuanos. In fact, she vowed to double the commitment she has given in the past six years in the remaining three years of her term.

"That calls for my full attention and focus right now. I do not yet have the luxury of thinking beyond 2013," Garcia told reporters yesterday.

Revilla told reporters that aside from coming to Cebu to attend Garcia's birthday bash, he also came to ask what help can he extend for the province.

Garcia said she will suggest to Revilla to help the school building program of the province.

Since 2007, the province of Cebu has been constructing two-classroom school buildings which the governor said, is 40 to 45 percent cheaper than the cost of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

The two-classroom buildings which costs only P700,000 is already equipped with blackboard, comfort room, desks and even electric fans.

Garcia said that the two cement plants, Grand Cement owned by Taiheyo Corp. and Apo owned by Cemex, are assisting the project by donating bags of cement to the provincial government.

Cebu is the only local government unit in the country that has constructed classrooms more than what was allotted by the national government for the entire region. (FREEMAN)