Imee: "Solid North" for Gwen in 2013

CEBU, Philippines - Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos has assured Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia of their support if the latter decides to run for the Senate in 2013.

At the 888 News Forum at the Marco Polo Plaza yesterday, Marcos said the league of governors is pushing Garcia to run as they ought to recruit more local government officials with proven record and outstanding accomplishment to the National Government.

“I think Governor Gwen has proven in Cebu a great amount of progress and track record of development regardless of the politics we have to admit that consistent, sustained, inclusive double digit growth is something that in Manila at 3.2 percent they should really, really emulate,” Marcos said.

Marcos met Garcia at the Capitol last Monday to promote her produced movie, “Pintakasi”. She also issued the same assurance when she visited Mandaue City yesterday to promote the same.

In a press conference at Parkmall, Marcos told reporters that they could have talked about it more yesterday had the earthquake did not disrupt her meeting with Garcia.

Marcos assured a solid vote from the north just for Garcia to share her programs in the national scene.

“Sagot nang teritoryo namin is a solid vote from the north,” Marcos said.

Marcos said that the Visayans who are 48 percent in the entire population are grossly underrepresented in the National Government.

There are only a handful of senators and the record of the national appointees is also very small relative to the contribution of Cebu and the Visayas, she said.

Marcos said that there are also not enough women in the Senate as Senator Mirriam Defensor Santiago will be leaving while Senator Pia Cayetano’s second term is running out.

“We really have a lack of talent in the female sphere,” Marcos said.

Some Cebuano leaders already expressed support to Garcia after her name was considered in the Senate race in the recent Pulse Asia Survey for the senatorial election next year.

Cebu First District Rep. Eduardo Gullas, for one, has commended the stand of former Cebu governor Emilio “Lito” Osmeña in expressing his support for Garcia if she runs for senator in the 2013 elections.

Prior to Osmeña’s declaration, Gullas said he already told Garcia that he will support her after hearing a report that she is being considered in the senatorial lineup of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Gullas said that since before, he has been consistent in supporting Cebuanos who run for national positions regardless of political affiliation, even without being asked.

Garcia thanked those who expressed support for her although until now, she has yet to decide what option to take when her term ends. – (FREEMAN)