Monday, June 04, 2007 Mongaya: Rise of the Garcias By Anol Mongaya Panahom
AFTER winning overwhelmingly in vote-rich Cebu Province, the Garcias quickly seized the initiative at the national level.
It is now clear that Gov. Gwen Garcia did not just win her reelection bid. Her camp has placed the Martinezes on the defensive in their home turf while at the same time carved a bailiwick for brother Pablo John in the third district and father Pabling in the second.
By seeking the Speakership, Pabling has in effect asserted leadership within President Arroyo’s Kampi and placed himself a stone’s throw away from being the third highest leader in the Arroyo administration.
Without a Cebuano in the Senate, I think Cebuanos should now back Pabling Garcia in his bid to wrest the Speaker post from Joe de Venecia.
Come to think of it, there is no longer an Osmeña at the national level. But a Garcia is a contender for the Speakership.
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Meanwhile, Mayor Tomas Osmeña is picking on the residents of Barangay Lahug for supporting his challenger Barangay Captain Mary Ann de los Santos. He is now bullying them to give up Mary Ann and thus render her no longer a contender for mayor in 2010.
But just like Mayor Osmeña’s failure in defeating Mary Ann in her turf last May 14, bully tactics will not work against the wily Lahug barangay boss now.
Instead, the early bully tactics will soon build Mary Ann the stature of being Mayor Osmeña’s nemesis.
Perhaps, Tomas is thinking he can bully Mary Ann and Lahug residents easily before he will face the more formidable Governor Garcia on the issue of Ciudad, land swap and the MCWD.
But what if both will join forces, Mr. Mayor?
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I admire Mike Defensor for conceding early to avoid further controversy in the ongoing count with still some five to six million votes to be counted. The man displayed the character of a statesman. With this, I believe he should have been elected senator but we should respect the voice of the Filipino people.
His colleagues who are in worst positions should also concede to erase whatever doubts the administration is planning to cheat in favor of Team Unity candidates.
Nonetheless, with the kind of politics shown by Defensor, I am sure he will still go places. We cannot count him out with this defeat. I am sure he will rise up again.
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LTO 7 officials should not immediately dismiss Licinio “Bebot” Gingoyon after they succeeded in transferring him back to Telof. The guy, who is the younger brother of the slain Judge Henrick Gingoyon, believes he had stepped on the powerful toes of a syndicate registering smuggled vehicles.
I met him Friday and I got a sense that he still has a lot up his sleeves. He said he just wants to vindicate himself from the unfair accusations hurled against him.
Ads being placed by Toyota Cebu in Sun.Star Cebu says Bebot has been telling the truth all the while.
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