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Monday, October 13, 2003
Nalzaro: A father’s daughter
By BOBBY G. NALZARO
SO, the cat is finally out of the bag, so to speak. And I am referring to the latest political development in the province where the endorsement and support by some political personalities have snowballed to Gov. Pablo Garcia’s eldest daughter, Gwendolyn “Gwen” Garcia, for the gubernatorial position.
After denying reports she has any political ambitions, Gwen finally hinted that she is eyeing a political position in the province. But she admitted everything will largely depend on the decision of her father because being a veteran in politics the governor knows what is best for her.
She claimed she was really surprised and elated by the move of her father’s political allies who groomed her to be the administration’s party gubernatorial candidate in the 2004 election.
Gwen said she was shocked when Mandaue Mayor Teddy Ouano’s group announced their decision and endorsed her candidacy during her birthday party celebration over the weekend at the Capitol building. Well, reading between the lines on her reaction, it seems that, if she has her way, she is willing to accept the challenge.
But again, it’s the governor who will call the shots on her political career. I understand the governor is not foolish enough to be swayed by political machinations and maneuvers of his partymates, if he knows that his daughter has no chance of winning and is not capable of running the affairs of the Provincial Government if ever elected.
A father knows best what is good for his children. No father, no matter how irresponsible, can afford to throw his children into the lions’ den. We are not talking here between life and death but I must tell you that a father will even sacrifice his life for the sake of his children’s welfare.
This is politics but Governor Garcia should take into all considerations before giving the ‘green light’ to his daughter to throw her hat into the complicated world of politics. Gwen’s failure will also be Governor Garcia’s defeat.
I don’t want to question the competence and academic background of Ms. Garcia because I know she is highly qualified for the position. We even elected a President and senators who have no excellent academic records and look what they are now doing in the Senate.
But it doesn’t follow that if one is highly educated, he or she is good in governance. We have a President who is an economist but look what is happening to our economy? Well, President Arroyo assumed office only three years ago and what can we expect in her three-year term when the economic problems we are facing today were inherited from previous administrations?
Gwen still has to learn the “ABCs” of good governance and the ins and outs of the dirty world of politics. Good that at this early stage she is already exposing herself to various local political leaders in the province and feeling their sentiments on her political plans.
We know that politics in our country is very dirty and divisive. During a campaign period, politicians would focus more on black propaganda, character assassination and personal attacks against their opponents instead of talking about their platform of government.
And if Ms. Garcia decides to enter politics, will she be able to handle personal attacks to the extent that her opponents will dig up her family life or even her love life? Is she prepared to counter any allegations about her person? What if her opponents will import some persons from Ormoc City to campaign against her?
And how long will it be for her to get out of the political shadow of her father? There are apprehensions that if she gets elected, her father will continue to run the affairs of the Provincial Government. Please think it over, Ms. Garcia before jumping into the murky waters of politics. |
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