Thursday, June 02, 2005
Force v. split-Cebu may give birth to new group
By Jeanette P. Malinao
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
A grougp that will serve as the machinery to campaign for an undivided Cebu may yet lead to the birth of a new political party.
“While I feel that there is no urgency in thinking of the next election, as politics has no place at this time, the call of the hour is to come together and consolidate forces to defend the integrity of this one great province,” said Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.
“The danger is imminent, and we cannot just sit back and allow a few old, selfish politicians to break up our province,” she added.
Their group “will have its own identity, rules, guidelines and structure,” said Garcia, who has majority of the mayors in Cebu, as well as the support of the leagues of local mayors, vice mayors and councilors.
When told of this, Rep. Antonio Yapha said, “Ila sad na. Kami mangita sad mi’g amuang paagi. Iyaha’y lang ta. Ang katawhan na la’y magbuot (Let us push our respective viewpoints and let the people decide).”
New group
Provincial Board (PB) Member Victor Maambong also said a new local group must be formed, criticizing the administration party Lakas, not only for failing its members in the last elections, but also for not functioning beyond the polls.
Moreover, Maambong added, those involved in the tug-of-war on the split-Cebu issue are either Lakas members or Lakas affiliates.
Rep. Clavel Asas-Martinez, who wants to create Cebu del Norte out of the nine-town fourth district that includes Bantayan Island, is a member of Lakas.
Rep. Simeon Kintanar, who proposes Cebu del Sur, and Yapha, who advocates for Cebu Occidental, are of the Nationalist People’s Coalition that coalesced with Lakas in the last polls.
“Lakas is useless. Why don’t we make our own local party that could stand for something, and which will be more cohesive, will have more direction, and with more camaraderie than deception?” he said.
Appointments
He recalled Lakas’ sudden appointment in the last elections of what Garcia called “come-from-behind, out-of-the-blue candidates,” despite already existing appointments.
Both Maambong and then Lakas reelectionist PB member Manuel Masang-kay last year complained to the Lakas national officials about the appointment of Luigi Quisumbing as Lakas candidate. Quisumbing now sits in the PB.
The campaign for the last elections was also marred by a bitter conflict within local Lakas, with President Arroyo refusing to side with either of the contending groups.
Former governor Pablo Garcia was then Lakas provincial chairman, while
his daughter Gwendolyn’s rival, former congressman Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr., was secretary general.
Garcia’s camp announced last year that they will form a new group that will be the “nucleus” of a new political party in Cebu. That way, Cebu would no longer have to wait for Manila to say who the local candidates are, or to decide on vital issues.
Until now, Arroyo has remained mum on the controversial bills to create Cebu del Sur, Cebu del Norte and Cebu Occidental.
No comment
The President, during visits to Cebu, would refuse to comment. She considers it a local issue, despite the stand of the League of Provinces of the Philippines that this will affect all provinces in the country and will drain the national coffers.
“I do not feel the presence of Lakas. Right now, there is no party that guides us and reminds us of principles and to make a stand. It is not functional. Creating our own party is right and timely. We can influence policies on important issues and form a common bond to stand up for something,” said Maambong.
The new party, he added, could serve as a forum not only for the split-Cebu controversy, but also for vital issues such as “jueteng, the deceptive policies on energy, or coal plants.”
Garcia, who will be in Argao today to make a presentation on keeping Cebu intact, said one thing is sure: “Our group that came together was strong enough for the elections and has become even stronger.”
“This will represent a new breed of politicians, public servants. We will define our group and redefine politics, because politics should not be the end to governance but merely a tool to serve and to serve effectively,” she added.
The House committee on local government will tackle the three bills in August yet, said Yapha, adding that the proponents already completed the required documents.
(June 2, 2005 issue)
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