Saturday, July 16, 2005 (Philippines)

Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama and Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia lead street party to show support for crisis-plagued Arroyo administration. (Sun.star photo/Amper Campaña) Local leaders and businessmen in Cebu are wary of the proposal of Visayas governors to create the Visayas Republic if President Arroyo is overthrown through extra-constitutional means. Rep. Antonio Yapha (Cebu, 3rd district) even criticized yesterday Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia for supporting the move when she is opposed to the creation of three new provinces out of Cebu. Yapha, proponent of the province of Occidental Cebu, said Garcia is being ironic with her stand. [full story]