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Saturday, August 19, 2006
New party formed v. Sugbuak
The challenge for local officials to keep Cebu intact has given them a cause to form a new political party, which will be launched on Sept. 17.
“They give us a good opportunity for a battle cry. Gipasugod ta nila ug sayo (They have motivated us to start early),” was Naga Mayor Valdemar Chiong’s reaction to Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia’s announcement Thursday night.
“I have been forced to do this to protect Cebu and the only way to do this is by coming together as one party, with one belief and one vision for Cebu. Let this not be your run-of-the-mill, trapo (traditional politics) kind of political party that the public has become so jaded about,” Garcia told 37 mayors gathered Thursday night to plan moves against the bills to create three new Cebu provinces.
The bills for Cebu del Norte, Cebu del Sur and Cebu Occidental have been approved by the House committee on local government.
But so far, 30 of the 77 members have signed the motion for reconsideration, citing that the seven votes of approval do not reflect the sentiment of majority of the committee.
Former Cebu governor Pablo Garcia, who served three terms as a congressman, said there was no quorum when the House committee approved the bills. Only 13 joined the voting, instead of the required 16.
The former governor will call on Cebu’s congressmen who are against splitting Cebu to go to the House committee on rules, where all proposals pass through before being presented in the plenary.
“It is the most powerful committee. It can take back even proposals that are already in the plenary,” said the former governor, citing that the rules committee has Rep. Eduardo Gullas (Cebu, 1st district) as deputy chairman.
Gullas, himself a former Cebu governor, is against the bills.
But since the actions taken in Congress may not be enough, what the new political party will do is to spearhead a campaign for two million signatures, a media campaign and other things such as bombarding the more than 200 members of House of Representatives with letters, as well as text messages.
“We will continue to look for ways to make our voices heard by those that want to play with our lives,” said the governor.
As this developed, Barili Mayor Jose Antonio Nemeño said his town is set to correct the wrong action it took, when it earlier passed a resolution supporting the bills. He was also the presiding officer when the resolution was passed, but he announced that Barili will pass another resolution opposing it. (JPM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (August 19, 2006 issue)
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