The foregoing hashtag, # Support Gov Gwen, along with other hashtags # One Cebu, #Stand Up Cebu, have been tweeted and retweeted countless times throughout the past two weeks. On and off the Twitter trending list, these hashtags have become Cebu’s battle cry, a present-day ‘Cry of Pugad Lawin’ expressed by Cebuanos amid a most evident yet desperately closeted brand of despotism in this social media age.
Even some Twitter users whom I follow and who have always been apathetic or have remained apolitical at least, have been tweeting these hashtags, proof of two things: first, there is growing support for embattled Governor Gwen Garcia (and perhaps a well-deserved appreciation for the things she’s done while governor of Cebu); second, there is an increasing cognizance of the Liberal Party’s predilection toward vindictiveness, political subterfuge, and flagrant doublespeak.
So why # Suppor t Gov Gwen? Allow me to enumerate, in random order, a few reasons why:
1. Because we should always rally behind our leaders (more so if duly elected) when they are being bullied and tyrannized by oppressors not from our land. We cannot be ‘fair-weather’ followers or constituents who only support our leader when he/she does things that directly benefit us and abandon them at the first instance of a shift in the balance of power. Those who are that way are either cowards or opportunists. Cebuanos, most especially, are not like that.
2. Speaking of, despite her imperfections, Gwen stuck it out with Gibo Teodoro. Languishing in the surveys (not even Kris Aquino deflecting to his camp would’ve made a difference), the former secretary of defense (like him or not, and despite being arguably the most qualified for the presidency) was the total opposite of a shoo-in—he was sure to lose—but Gwen remained by his side through and through when she could’ve been more tactical (read: Machiavellian) and conveniently switched parties and allegiances (note that some GMA loyalistas like Governor Joey Salceda have since become LP converts).
Though frowned upon, switching parties is common practice, chiefly in a presidential election (or after one is held), and Cebuanos might’ve even tolerated it. But with ‘palabra de honor,’ she didn’t. In fact, she might’ve averted this assault on her mandate and ensured her political survival if she went ‘over da bakod’ to join Aquino’s LP. Then again, the interesting times we live, the present struggles of one Gwen Garcia, these are characteristic of a road less traveled; these inconvenient choices for unpopular truths, these are the sort of adventures that further define character and immortalize the spirit.
3. The most pressing issues that have hounded her, the Balili and CICC controversies, have all been answered. There was no effort on her part to evade accountability and in both issues, she faced the Cebuano public with an in-depth accounting of how the funds were spent, each time presenting a compelling case before a multi-sectoral group.
Sure, there could’ve been some oversight, but that’s debatable. What is not debatable though is that her political opponents, if there was any error at all, were a part of it too (being members of the provincial board that approved and therefore empowered the governor to enter into subject deals). Yet they now have the audacity and temerity to condemn her like they are spotless—over-eager beavers who obviously wish to wrestle control over the province in time for the upcoming midterm elections. In my book, they are the worst kind of people, you know, the hypocrites. Even Jesus, embracing the outcasts, had special words for their ilk. I have friends from all walks of life, many credible, some criminal. But I will never be friends with a hypocrite, just the lowest of lows.
4. On the elections: I’m sure Cebuanos are smart enough to see through the machinations. The 2013 elections are crucial because whoever wins then sits until 2016, a presidential election with Mar Roxas (a Liberal Party stalwart) and Vice President Jejomar Binay (allied with Garcia) going on a head-on collision yet again. Remember the last time that happened, Roxas saw his consolation prize (he was considered early on to be LP’s standard-bearer, until Cory died and he was, although infinitely more qualified than the supposedly grieving Aquino, relegated to the party’s second best), the vice presidency, snatched from him by the longtime mayor of Makati. He can’t afford for that to happen this time, not again, that’s simply unacceptable. After all, he’s waited far too long, and so he cannot take any chances, hell no. Even a political novice should be able to read the writings on the wall; otherwise, you’re just a raging political illiterate.
Suffice to say, it’s all politically motivated, the faulty suspension order—without merit and riddled with procedural breaches left and right—notwithstanding. So considering the two, the politics and the legality of the issue, wouldn’t you defy the bogus suspension order if you were in her shoes?
If someone was out to get you, and they’ve made it clear they’re out for blood, would you cower and falter, and fail the people who’ve installed you to office and give these greedy bastards what they want without putting up a goddamn a fight? Certainly no hero or leader worth one’s salt would.
…More to come.
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