Ex-Manila Times publisher to run for Dagupan mayor

DAGUPAN CITY — Former Manila Times publisher Ermin Garcia Jr. confirmed reports about his desire to seek this city’s mayoralty post in the May 2001 elections.

Garcia is the son of slain newsman Ermin Garcia Sr., publisher of the local weekly paper The Sunday Punch. When his father was shot dead inside his office on AB Fernandez Avenue here in 1965 after he exposed payroll padding in the provincial government, the young Ermin, then only 20, took over the newspaper as publisher, a position he holds until now.

"Before my father died, he wanted the newspaper to die with him. He never wanted me to become a newspaperman. He wanted me to become a businessman," said Garcia, a Behavioral Science graduate from the Ateneo de Manila University.

Garcia, now 52 years old, told The STAR: "I would like to believe that Dagupeños are ready for change in the political envi-ronment...Perhaps it’s time to impress upon the people that political positions are not reserved for political families."

Garcia is referring to the political landscape here where big clans like the Reynas, the Manaoises and the Fernandezes are lording it over the mayoralty.

"There is no franchise or birthright to such a position," he said.

Admitting that he is a neophyte in politics, Garcia attributed his decision to run to an urge to do something, not to just start a political career.

Though he admits he has no bailiwick to speak of and not that many relatives who can give him votes, the Dagupan-born Garcia said he wants to develop people who shun traditional politics.

Being a newsman, he said, is an advantage because he is not a stranger to the problems of the city. "We’ve always talked about these and (the) options. But the difference is we can just influence, but not implement."

He said he realized three months ago that he has to play an active role in finding solutions to enable the city government to be more responsive and attuned to the city’s growing problems.

Aside from Garcia, incumbent Vice Mayor Teodoro Manaois III, former Baguio City mayor Jun Labo and former Association of Barangay Captains president Alfredo Quinto Sr. are vying for the mayoralty post.

"It’s really an uphill fight but I don’t mind doing it, even losing in the end as long as it can’t be said that I didn’t take the opportunity when it was there," Garcia said.

He said there are good prospects for change now because Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. is "graduating" from his post, having served three terms. Under the law, an elected official can occupy the same position for only three consecutive terms.

"This is really an opportune time. We are looking at nine years down the road because there’s no incumbent mayor seeking reelection, so there’s no tactical advantage," Garcia said.

At present, many political parties are wooing Garcia to be their candidate, but he is still studying the options carefully.