Monday, July 16, 2007 3 Martinez stalwarts seen at Gwen’s ‘suroy’
THREE fourth district mayors closely linked with the Martinez family showed up at the Capitol yesterday to attend a meeting with Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.
It was a far cry from the governor’s previous term that was marred with opponents’ no-shows at the Capitol.
Newly elected Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez, the most vocal against Garcia in the campaign for the 2004 elections, said they are willing to cooperate with her.
He, San Remigio Mayor Mariano Martinez and Tabuelan Mayor Casiano Gerona attended the meeting with mayors for the next leg of the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo.
In the last three years, Garcia had complained about her political foes’ refusal to accept projects from the Capitol.
But that all changed, starting with Toledo City as the first to express cooperation.
Toledo City Mayor Arlene Zambo, a supporter of Garcia’s opponent for the gubernatorial race last May, had said she will make more frequent visits to the Capitol to coordinate with Garcia for projects in her locality.
Duty
Yesterday, Ramirez said he will do the same.
“I can’t say anything in behalf of anyone; but on my part, I believe that I was chosen by the people to lead the town. I am the father of the town, even to those who did not vote for me. So I will be remiss on my duty if I avoid meetings or gatherings that could benefit the town,” Ramirez told Sun.Star Cebu.
But Ramirez said he’d rather not talk about political groupings, such as Garcia’s One Cebu party, as of now.
“The elections have just been concluded. It’s time to put politics in the back burner. We have had enough of that, I’d like to take a breather from politics,” he said.
For his part, San Remegio’s Martinez said that even in the previous term, he already joined Garcia’s programs, such as the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo and the enrollment of indigents to the Philhealth program.
“We participated (in those programs) because I know our town has tourism potentials. If it’s for the good of the town, then we will have no problem about attending meetings,” he said.
Ramirez further said that their district leader, Bogo Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr., knows him very well so he is certain that the motives of his Capitol visits will not be questioned.
“Even if Tining (Celestino Martinez III) was proclaimed instead of Benhur (Salimbangon), I would still be here. Either way, I would still be attending meetings and get immersed in the programs of the Capitol,” he said. (JPM)
