Thursday, January 11, 2007 Pabling bid may test Gwen ties with mayors
TIES between Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and the second district mayors may be shaky now that her father, former governor Pablo Garcia, announced his intention to run for the district’s seat in the House of Representatives.
The governor met last Monday with the mayors, who reportedly asked if Pablo would reconsider his decision.
When asked about this, the governor sternly said, “No comment.”
All the 15 mayors of the second district are identified allies of the governor, but are reportedly inclined to support Mayor Deogenes Dera-ma of Boljoon for the congressional contest.
Mayors’ league president and Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Allan Cesante revealed that the other mayors will be meeting with the former governor within the week to ask him to give way to Derama.
The former governor also represented the province’s third district in Congress from 1987 to 1995.
Of the 15 town mayors, only Oslob Mayor Emelito Abines failed to come but was represented by the vice mayor.
It was in that meeting that Garcia officially announced to the mayors her father’s candidacy and told them that she supports it.
Before the elder Garcia announced that he will be running for Congress again, he had said he will be running to become a delegate of the Constitutional Convention, should one be created.
The former governor has said he is always willing to listen to the mayors, but added that he has already decided on his candidacy.
Aside from Derama and the former governor, Provincial Board Member Carmiano Kintanar has also expressed his intention to run to replace his uncle, Rep. Simeon Kintanar, who is on his third consecutive term.
Had Congressman Kintanar’s plan been realized, this district would have been converted to the province of Cebu del Sur. (MBG)
