Friday, January 05, 2007 Ex-gov’s plan shakes up opposition
FORMER governor Pablo Garcia’s announcement that he will run for congressman in Cebu’s second district erased the hopes of other officials who would have wanted to run for the same position, said Provincial Board (PB) Member Antonio Almirante Jr.
Almirante said that PB Member Carmiano “Cary” Kintanar was planning to run for congressman. Cary is a cousin of Rep. Simeon Kintanar, who is on his third consecutive term and barred from seeking reelection.
“Karon nalubog na ning tanan. Maguba tanang plano ni Cary (All of Cary’s plans will be ruined),” Almirante told Sun.Star Cebu. Almirante is certain that all mayors in the 15-town second district will support Garcia. Even he, he said, will now be Garcia’s leader when he would have supported Cary.
He added that Kintanar was hoping to “get absorbed” into the group of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who is set to launch her new “One Cebu” party later this month.
He also claimed that Boljoon Mayor Deogenes “Wargong” Derama also planned to run, but Derama could not be reached through his mobile phone last night.
With the former governor running for Congress, there are now three Garcias who will be seeking government positions in May this year.
Governor Garcia will seek a second term, while her brother, Capitol consultant Pablo John Garcia, will run for congressman of the third district. Former governor Garcia was that district’s congressman from 1987 to 1995.
“One bad Garcia in office is too much but a number of sincere, competent and qualified Garcias who are truly serving the public is too little. The people will be the judge, hasta nako,” the governor said. (JPM)
