Editorial: The Byron factor

BYRON GARCIA always has the reputation of being, sometimes, a loose cannon. He can be creative, a point proved when he made prisoners of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) dance to while away their time in jail and then posted the dancing on YouTube.

The global popularity of the Cebu “dancing inmates” is a legacy of Byron’s days as Capitol consultant.

But he is one who does not mince words, especially against then subject of his ire. His being a colorful personality rather than his creative ways is what often brings him to public attention.

Byron’s tirades against Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Chief Marcelo Garbo Jr., who is directing efforts to implement the suspension of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, are therefore not surprising. The words used, including his challenging Garbo to a fist-fight, are very Byron.

What added to the drama was the fact that Byron and Gwen hadn’t been on good terms starting when the governor eased him out of Capitol and CPDRC. He drifted away from the limelight and only resurfaced days ago to defend his sister, who he believes has been treated unfairly by Garbo. That made him a natural subject of media attention.

Byron, though, is more of a novelty than an important cog in Garcia’s “war” against the suspension order. And he is one whose novelty easily wears out, eventually reducing him to a mere irritant. The risk is him ending up becoming more of a liability than an asset in the long-term. Which means that the governor has to rein im in eventually.

Garcia’s suspension has already been reduced into a tug-of-war between her One Cebu group and the Liberal Party of Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale for advantage in the May elections. Yesterday’s prayer rallies held by the two groups showed that this has become a battle to win votes.

It is doubtful if Byron’s acts would endear himself to the voters, especially if he becomes too combative for comfort. His refusing to have his previous quarrel with the governor interfere with his defense of his sister is a plus---it showed how strong the bond that unites the Garcia family is. But his quarrelsome ways could negate that.

It would be good for the governor’s cause, therefore, if Byron won’t act like a loose cannon for a while.