Tuesday, January 22, 2008 Gwen rejects offer for her to join administration grouping, thinks it won't work
CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia shoot down any chances of joining a political coalition being forged by National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales Jr.
Gonzales visited Garcia yesterday afternoon and talked about the coalition. He said he is going around the country to discuss strengthening the country’s political coalition.
“I cannot really ever imagine that working out,” said Garcia.
She said she is not up to joining the coalition because she does not intend to “ride two horses or three” and that alliances crumble when it’s time to make a stand.
Gonzales said he is focusing on allies that are close to the President.
“Loyalties or even clarity of thought or vision get lost...as in the sunshine coalition of Jose de Venecia,” Garcia told Gonzales.
“How do we trust somebody like de Venecia?” the governor added.
Garcia’s father, 2nd district Rep. Pablo Garcia, challenged de Venecia for the Speakership. But during the opening of the 14th Congress, de Venecia and his allies were accused of railroading his election as House Speaker.
Gonzales’ party, the Partido Demokratikong Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP), also endorsed the candidacies of Garcia’s rivals, former representatives Antonio Yapha for governor and Clavel Martinez for vice governor in the last elections. The PDSP is a member of the administration coalition.
“Sorry about that,” Gonzales told the governor. He said he was only made to sign blank certificates and he did not know anything about the endorsement.
“Have we not learned our lessons? I will support a party not a coalition,” said Garcia. She said that she can still remember from her social studies class that turncoatism is a sin.
“We change coats with a flick of a bill. Sunshine Joe started it. How many Congressmen switched sides? I’m getting dizzy watching them change parties,” she said.
Politicians have lost credibility and this all started with de Venecia, said Garcia.
Gonzales suggested that Garcia offer her views on politics in the national scene but Garcia said she would rather take care of Cebu first.
Garcia has been rumored to have been courted by Senators Manuel “Mar” Roxas and Manuel Villar to run as their vice president in 2010.
The governor told Gonzales how she was able to unite Cebu, working with 44 municipalities and seven component cities in the province.
“You will be very encouraged to see the young mayors that we have now,” she said.
Gonzales later said that before he retires, he wants to leave behind a legacy, among which is strengthening political alliance.
At the end of the dialogue, Gonzales said “I’m glad that I listened today. I’m sorry I lost a friend.”
“But you still have it,” the governor answered.
Gonzales then encouraged her to “continue for the nation.”
