CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said she met with the six Cebu representatives at the Marco Polo Plaza last Thursday to ask their counsel as to her options when her third and last term as governor ends in 2013.
The meeting was also to show the continued alliance between One Cebu, Alayon and Barug Alang sa Kalamboan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) parties since the past two elections in the local level, said Garcia.
Garcia clarified that they traditionally have Christmas dinner together but they had to push it back this time because they could not get their schedules together due to so many activities.
The options discussed included running for senator as far as the 2013 election is concerned, running for Congress or another local position, or possibly going back to private life.
“I got very, very good inputs from the congressmen and I value always their wise counsel especially since they been in politics longer than I,” Garcia said in a press conference yesterday.
Garcia emphasized during the meeting that as president of the One Cebu party, her decision will be based on what will be good for Cebu and will not be a unilateral decision.
“And I said, I would even be willing to sacrifice my own personal political advancement if it meant that by so doing we can protect the gains that we have achieved and see to it Cebu continues on this path of unprecedented growth and development,” Garcia said.
Garcia warned that if anyone from the opposition will take over as governor, Cebu will be “back to square one”.
She recalled how her opponents threatened to discontinue her projects and programs during the 2010 elections.
“I will continue to seek wise counsel from our congressmen and from others that have the good of Cebu in their hearts,” Garcia said.
When asked if had the support of the six congressmen if she decides to run for the Senate, Garcia said that none of them disagreed considering they have been allies since the past two elections and their alliance has been tried and tested in the local level.
After that meeting, Garcia said they agreed to regularly meet to get updates on the political situation of each district.
“We agreed that the tried and tested political alliance One Cebu has had with both Alayon and Bakud has given us more reasons to stay united because if the alliance holds, certainly it is a formidable force to reckon with,” Garcia said.
Alayon is headed by Rep. Eduardo Gullas (1st District) while Bakud is headed by Danao City Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III, the father of Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano VI (5th District).
Representatives Pablo Garcia (2nd District), Pablo John Garcia (3rd District), Benhur Salimbangon (4th District) and Gabriel Luis Quisumbing (6th District) are all members of the One Cebu party. (FREEMAN)