Vice guv to be back soon, daughters say

“I SHALL return.”

This was the promise of Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr., as quoted by his daughter Gerlyda “Gerly” Sanchez Spiller in a press conference at the Cebu Provincial Capitol yesterday.

Spiller said they kept their privacy in the past weeks because they are not used to public exposure and they have been focused on finding the best medical services for their father.

Spiller said they are not hiding anything. She said as they were attending to their father in Manila, their mother was also hospitalized in Cebu. Their brother Ludovico is also undergoing another treatment.

“This is the reason why we failed to go public,” Spiller said.

Grezilda “Gigi” Sanchez Zaballero, the eldest daughter of the vice governor, said the health condition of their father is not as critical as what other people are speculating.

While undergoing treatment at the Perpetual Succour Hospital, Sanchez can still walk around his hospital room, sign bills, vouchers, checks and read the newspapers.

He would have wanted to have a press conference but his doctors advised him against it because he needed rest so he could recover fast.

“Our doctors in Cebu and Manila are still studying why my father lost his voice. They (doctors) said they have to be sure of their diagnosis. But one thing for sure is that a couple of weeks ago, we brought him to Manila after he was diagnosed with pneumonia and had water in his lungs, which is something that can be treated,” Zaballero said.

Zaballero admitted that early this year, Sanchez prepared to go to the US for a vacation from March 1 to April 3 because of stress related to his job at the Capitol.

But they did not push through with it because he had infections in the throat and water in his lungs.

Zaballero said the vice governor will report back to work when his leave of absence ends on April 30.

“He is a devoted public servant. He loves his job of serving the people. He has never been sick in the past years. Dad had no absences in the past since the time of President Cory Aquino. He believed he will fully recover soon. That’s why he said I shall return (to the Capitol),” Spiller said.

Zaballero and Spiller also appealed for understanding from his father’s critics, especially those who questioned why his line of health drinks failed to prevent the vice governor’s sickness.

“They should remember that even if you own the finest pharmaceutical in the world, even if you own the best hospital in the world, that will not alter the fact that every person has his/her time. We have our own time to come under the will of God,” Zaballero said.

Spiller denied rumors that Bantay Radio, which is composed of four radio stations namely dyDD Metro Cebu, dyHH Bogo City, dyZZ Guihulngan City and dxIP Davao City, is for sale.

“Bantay Radio is not for sale. That’s very clear. I’m sorry for those who are interested in Bantay Radio. We will retain Bantay Radio because it’s close to the heart of our father,” Spiller said.

She said what is for sale at Bantay Radio is the airtime.

“If you want to buy airtime, we will sell it to you,” Spiller said.