‘Visayas Republic’ impossible, says Vidal’s spokesman

CEBU — The creation of a Visayas Republic, as envisioned by the political leaders of the three regions comprising the Visayas, is impossible, said Msgr. Achilles Dakay, spokesman of the Cebu Archdiocese.

Dakay said they have not yet discussed the matter with Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, but added that the Cebu Archdiocese will surely oppose the idea of creating another republic solely for the Visayas.

"We are one as a republic and one as a nation, why create another republic?" he said.

Dakay said this is just an impossible dream of the Visayan leaders since it will have to undergo a tedious process before it is realized.

"They are just having an impossible dream, it is just like creating a Cebu Island out of the Pacific," he said.

Last Thursday, 13 out of the 16 governors in the three Visayan regions took the first step in creating the Visayas Republic, which they plan to declare should President Arroyo be ousted unconstitutionally.

The governors formed two technical working committees to study the political framework and the possible constitution of the Visayas Republic.

Designated heads were Negros Oriental Gov. George Arnaiz and former Cebu governor Pablo Garcia, with Governors Orlando Phua (Siquijor) and Ben Evardone (Eastern Samar) and Mayor Gerry Espina of Naval, Biliran, as members.

A separate committee was also formed, with Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia as head, to work with the chairmen of the Regional Development Councils of Regions 6, 7 and 8. — Freeman News Service