Gwen joining UNA proclamation rally

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Garcia confirmed she will be joining the proclamation rally in Cebu on February 12 even at the risk of not being able to return to her office after more than a month of refusing to step down despite the six-month suspension order.

Security measures are already being set up for the proclamation rally of the United Nationalist Alliance.

Even when it was still unconfirmed, former Capitol security consultant Byron Garcia said that they have been ironing out the security concerns, especially with the participation of his sister.

Byron said that he recently got an e-mail from the camp of UNA’s leader, Vice President Jejomar Binay, on the general scope of the security during the proclamation rally.  Byron said that they are aware of the threats that are always there but they are heightening up measures. 

“Basin ma-escalate pa diay ang threat. God knows what they will do next,” hitting on the opposition.

Third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia said that UNA’s decision to choose Cebu as its place for the kick-off campaign is expected since the party considers the province to be very important.

“Makita sa pagbalik-balik ni Vice President Binay diri, ni Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, and former president Joseph Estrada and the senatoriables. We have seen how UNA has looked at Cebu and how important the province is to us,” he said.

The Garcias already called a meeting with their leaders in different towns to discuss their preparations.  The suspended governor has yet to disclose to the media the details such as the venue and other logistical issues involved but she said there are committees being formed.

When asked what she thought of UNA choosing Cebu as their venue, the suspended governor said, “Cebu is the single biggest voting bloc in the entire country.”

She said that in the light of the events it becomes a symbol of the opposition.

“We are seeing that this has now become a case of UNA versus Liberals and what the Liberal Party has done here in Cebu is something that will definitely not be forgotten by the Cebuanos,” Garcia said.

Garcia said that the illegal suspension order handed down by the LP-led Aquino Administration for six months symbolizes the continued trampling of the rights of the Cebuanos.

“People look at me as one who has courageously stood up against all odds and against greater powers to show that we Cebuanos just cannot be stepped on and trampled on,” she said.

UNA is fielding her brother, Pablo John, against Hilario Davide III this May while she is running for a congressional seat in the third district.

The suspended governor also formally wrote last Friday to the Commission on Elections clarifying that she is the incumbent governor and not acting Governor Agnes Magpale.

The camp of Garcia maintained that the Comelec recognizing Magpale as the incumbent governor contradicts with a Supreme Court ruling and that Comelec Resolution 9608 does not define the term incumbent.

“Magpale is merely illegally holding as acting governor in a probational capacity,” lawyer Ma. Christina Esperanza Frasco said.

Comelec Law Department recently sent a letter to Comelec Cebu stating that it recognized Magpale as the incumbent governor who will have the privilege of security escorts from the police or military. — AJ de la Torre and Gregg M. Rubio/BRP (FREEMAN)