Wednesday, October 18, 2006 Mondigo shifts to Gwen camp
THE Martinezes’ camp in the fourth district of Cebu Province lost a top official after Provincial Board (PB) Member Joven Mondigo announced that he is joining the Garcia camp.
Mondigo and Medellin Mayor Manreza Lim visited the office of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to inform her that Lim will endorse Mondigo for mayor of the northern town in the next elections under Garcia’s group.
Mondigo confirmed that they will be part of the local political party that the Garcias will soon be launching.
Garcia earlier announced that she will form a group that will have its own identity, rules, guidelines and structure and will defend the territorial integrity of the province.
Mondigo has been a long time ally of former congressman Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. but he admitted that he and Lim felt shut out because of several political movements in the camp that they were not informed about.
Trust
Mondigo was mayor of Medellin for 18 years and has been a PB member for the fourth district for nine years. The 4th district is a bailiwick of the Martinezes.
He said he was saddened by the fact that they were not given the respect due them to be updated of the activities of their party.
They felt that their political leaders no longer trust them so he decided to cut his ties with the Martinezes and looked for another political ally who will trust him.
“It really pains to be separated from a long-time political ally but because perhaps of intrigues, sometimes distrust is being generated. We have to have an ally whom we can defend in order to be effective,” Mondigo said.
Sun.Star Cebu called Martinez but he just said “way problema na” (There’s no problem with that). He refused to comment further.
Lineup
Lim’s son, Al is said to be Mondigo’s running mate but Mondigo refused to confirm this, saying they are still going to meet with the group and finalize their lineup.
Once the lineup is finalized, they will go back to Garcia to formally inform her of their decision.
Garcia, on the other hand, welcomed Mondigo and Lim to her camp, saying they also have the same thrust, which is for the betterment of the lives of their constituents.
Yesterday, Mondigo and officials of three barangays went to Garcia to request assistance for some projects like asphalting, water system and drainage system.
Garcia ordered the engineering department and the development office to prioritize these projects because “these are also in line” with her thrust. (MBG)
