Guv sees a line between her and vice guv
-A A +ATuesday, June 26, 2012
TO CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, a line has been drawn between her and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale. The vice governor does not share the sentiment, though.
Magpale’s Bakud party reportedly formed an alliance with the Liberal Party (LP) in Cebu, which is expected to field Hilario “Junjun” Davide III in the gubernatorial race in 2013. Under the alliance, Magpale will reportedly run for vice governor.
Garcia said she was not shocked by the report.
“It is proven that in politics, there are no permanent alliances,” said, adding that “it is a free country,” so Magpale can join any party she wants.
Garcia said the One Cebu party was supposed to pair Magpale with her brother Rep. Pablo John (Cebu, third district), who will run for governor next year. “We offered the post to her but apparently she already made a decision,” the governor added.
Magpale said, though, that “nothing has changed” between her and the governor. She added that she even attended the recent Tabuelan fiesta with the governor.
Announcement
But Mapale declined to reveal details of the LP-Bakud alliance, saying the Bakud chairman, Danao Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III, will be the one who will make a formal announcement later.
She said the trip to Malacañang of Bakud officials was unexpected.
“Akong chairman sa Bakud makig-storya pa unta sa One Cebu (The Bakud chairman was supposed to have a talk about it with One Cebu), but we were overtaken by you (reporters),” she said, referring to reports that she will be Davide’s runningmate in 2013.
She pointed out that Bakud and the LP have been meeting since the 2010 elections, but Bakud’s relationship with One Cebu was only “per election.”
The governor said One Cebu, which she chairs, tried several times to meet with Bakud officials, but failed.
Pablo John said he once shared a flight with Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano VI (Cebu, fifth district) and mentioned One Cebu’s desire to meet, but the other legislator never gave him any feedback.
Pablo John said the Garcias have been allies with Bakud since 2007, and have shown nothing but courtesy and respect to the other group.
Not offering the vice gubernatorial runningmate position to anyone else except Magpale is an act of courtesy and respect, he added.
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on June 26, 2012.
Local news
Forum rules: Do not use obscenity. Some words have been banned. Stick to the topic. Do not veer away from the discussion. Be coherent and respectful. Do not shout or use CAPITAL LETTERS!
