Wednesday, September 01, 2004 Roperos: ‘Playful’ guv By Godofredo M. Roperos Politics also
Anyone watching Cebu’s lady governor the past weeks could have been amused or scandalized by her initial actuation.
She showed gutsy freshness and a child-like irreverence about the sanctity of public office, so like a young one given a new toy to play with. But in satisfying her curiosity about the “toy,” her fresh, creative approach might still result in something worthwhile.
This is the reason why until now I chose to be at the side standing with quite amusement while she did her thing. The others, of course, unable to contain themselves, unleashed their well-based critique of the child-like performance of Ms. Gwendolyn Garcia during the first two months of her term.
Indeed, one might have been “scandalized” about what to me appeared a genuine curiosity about her new job, exploring it seems, the parameters of what she can and cannot do.
At the moment, most Cebuanos appear aghast at the sight of the governor, who, at one moment was seen walking precariously on the roof of the Provincial Capitol, and, at another, sliding in a children’s playground in Bantayan.
Used to having staid, portly, gentlemen as governor, and hence exhibiting high respectability and well polished behavior as anyone occupying the position ought to be, they could not reconcile her playfulness with the “sacred” position.
But I think it is still too early to judge the true worth of the lady governor’s performance.
And I think, it is well-worth it for the gentlemen of the Provincial Board (PB) to hold on to their horses and watch while Garcia works out her child-like approach to the long-set problems of the province, some of which may have defied solutions conceived or devised by her predecessors.
I know, though, it is difficult for men to adjust to the thinking and insights of the women, as most of those who are married may know it only too well.
But based on my experience as former government director, career executive service officer, husband, and now a grandfather of nine, it is best not to pre-judge, belittle, anticipate, or underestimate the mind of a woman.
In many instances, at a time when I was almost at the point of giving up on a problem, whether in the office or in the house, the feminine mind would always come up with the most practical and common-sense defined solutions that I would admit led me to say, “Why couldn’t I have thought of it?”
But before I digress some more and reveal Mrs. Roperos to be a most practical problem solver in my family, I just would like to say that the governor may have brought to the wizened edifice a quite refreshing atmosphere that may have humanized provincial governance in a manner not seen before.
I know there are those who could not really relax the age-old practices that were set by her predecessors, but those who can should do so and enjoy and the change. Consider her stint as a comma in a long, long sentence.
But truth to tell, I would really like to see, for a change, the PB and the Office of the Governor able to work together. This is not, of course, my original “desire.”
I am just echoing the wish of an old balikbayan woman I rode with recently in a V-Hire L-300 from my hometown, who said it’s is truly tiring to keep hearing or reading in the papers the quarrels of our leaders at the Capitol.
“Unsa pa may ilang mahimo para sa Sugbo kon magsigi lang sila’g away? Kalaw-ay sab ana nga kanunay lang magkinawrasay sila.”
But whatever it is Guv Gwen’s detractors and admirers are thinking about her, I think it is best to suspend judgment. After this piece, I would like to wait for a year before saying another thing.
It is best to have one feet standing solidly on the ground before one is able to say anything with conviction. And a man is always safe when he says only the things he holds strong conviction for. Even in or about politics, really.
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