Monday, May 21, 2007 Voters give Gwen 461T lead By Jeanette P. Malinao Sun.Star Staff Reporter
WITH a margin of 461,052 votes, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia was given a fresh mandate yesterday afternoon with the official proclamation of her victory alongside her running mate, reelected Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr.
The speed with which the two were proclaimed as well as the number of votes they garnered was a far cry from the situation in the 2004 elections, when Garcia’s edge over her rival was only 7,000 votes and the proclamation was held one and a half months after election day.
“I thank the Lord Almighty and the Cebuanos for this blessing to serve our beloved province once again. The Cebuanos resoundingly rejected Sugbuak and will continue to do so and they have affirmed what I have always believed in, that performance speaks for itself and good governance is good politics,” said Garcia.
Sanchez, who eased out Rep. Clavel Martinez’s bid for his current position by 331,918 votes, also attributed their resounding win to their accomplishments and unity.
He also believes that the proposal to create new provinces out of their districts worked against Martinez and Rep. Antonio Yapha. Yapha got 287,133 votes against Garcia’s votes.
In 2005, less than a year into their third consecutive term, Martinez and Yapha filed bills to convert their districts into the provinces of Cebu del Norte and Occidental Cebu. Outgoing Rep. Simeon Kintanar filed a third proposal, creating the province of Cebu del Sur, but did not seek elective office this year.
Moreover, Sanchez pointed out the allegations of corruption against Yapha and Martinez.
Yapha earlier said he was surprised by the turnout of the elections, although he could not say whether there was fraud.
Martinez, for her part, has reportedly said she already presented herself to the people and she “doesn’t care” if “they don’t like me.”
Dominant family
Garcia was the third proclaimed Garcia since Friday. The first one was former governor Pablo “Pabling” Garcia as congressman of the second district, while the second one was lawyer Pablo John Garcia as congressman of the third district.
Pabling is the father of Gwendolyn and Pablo John.
In an interview, Pabling said the dynasty issue their opponents earlier raised against them did not stick.
“In the case of our family, circumstances just developed where three of us have been called to public service and we are there to respond to this call. Apparently, the people believe in our principle, policies and values in politics,” said Pabling.
“We have enough manpower in the family to fill the demand for public service suitable to our individual talents and experience. I think the people can see whether we are capable,” he added.
Some sectors may not like what is happening, he further said, but stressed that he believes all this is part of God’s plan.
“As I grow old in years I am becoming more and more convinced that all things happening in our lives are orchestrated in heaven,” added the new second district congressman. (JPM)
