Wednesday, April 11, 2007 CICC not dormant, says Gwen
THE One Cebu Party yesterday launched its campaign by holding a caravan in the 15-town second district, considered the bailiwick of the Garcias.
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia answered the issue raised by opposition vice gubernatorial candidate Clavel Asas-Martinez that the P515-million Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) is dormant and that Capitol should make an accounting of its expenses for the CICC.
Garcia, in an interview, revealed that last month, CICC earned P1.2 million when it hosted a Department of Tourism event, and at least 39 events have been booked for the next few months.
“Ambot lang kung unsay pasabot anang dormant (I do not know what she meant by dormant),” the governor said.
Garcia said the caravan is similar to what she did in the 2004 elections.
The difference is that before, she said, her campaign was anchored on faith. Now, she has most of the incumbent officials on her side and 80 percent of the members of her One Cebu Party are incumbent officials.
The caravan started with a mass in Dumanjug, the birthplace of Garcia. More than 50 vehicles joined. Campaign staff also distributed leaflets and flyers of the candidates.
There were no speeches in the towns except in Dalaguete, where Garcia thanked voters for giving her a huge majority in 2004.
The candidates of Dalaguete were proclaimed in front of the One Cebu headquarters instead of the municipal hall, like the rest of the local bets.
Dalaguete Vice Mayor Andrade Alcantara, who is running for mayor, said it was out of delicadeza.
The relationship between Garcia and Mayor Ronald Allan Cesante has turned sour. Cesante is running for vice mayor as an independent candidate.
Garcia stood by her pronouncement when she filed her certificate of candidacy that she will not resort to mudslinging during her campaign.
But she called rival Antonio Yapha Jr. and Martinez “trapo” (traditional politicians) after they changed their stand on Sugbuak now that they are running for the top two positions of the Province.
A video of the Garcia administration’s accomplishments in the past three years was presented in Argao, where the caravan ended.
Among those who attended the mass in Dumanjug were sixth district Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, who is seeking reelection, Mandaue mayoral bet Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano and Lapu-Lapu City mayoral candidate Norma Patalinghug and their slates.
Also present were mayors from other districts.
Garcia and Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr. were accompanied by Argao Mayor Wilfredo Caminero and Samboan Mayor Peter John Calderon, who are running for the Provincial Board.
Also present was former governor Pablo Garcia, who is attempting a comeback in Congress by seeking the second district’s seat. (MBG)
