Saturday, July 12, 2008 Sopa gets mixed reactions from Palace, local officials
A PALACE official yesterday voiced support to the pronouncement of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia that she will not seek for a higher position in the 2010 presidential elections.
“I have mixed reactions over the decision of the governor. As a Cebuano, I am happy that she stays and continues the progress of Cebu province,” Serge Remonde, President Management Staff chief, told Sun.Star Cebu.
Assurance
During her State of the Province Address (Sopa) at the Capitol social hall on Friday, Governor Garcia quenched talks that she will run for higher position in the election.
“I cannot find myself leaving Cebu for anything—not for money, nor for fame, nor for greatness. Not even for higher office. My fellow Cebuanos, I am here to stay,” stressed Garcia.
“There is so much to be done here. And the challenges, this sense of hope, our simple pride in being Cebuano are too strong and irresistible.”
Remonde admitted he was somehow distressed by the governor’s decision, saying “the country is deprived of a good national leader.”
“The Province’s gain is the national government’s loss in so far as the decision of the governor is concerned,” he said.
Remonde said Garcia is considered by many presidentiables as “very popular.”
The Palace official said he would immediately inform President Arroyo of the governor’s decision not to run for higher post.
Views
Likewise, other local officials of Cebu shared the same view with Remonde, including opposition Cebu Provincial Board Member Jose Ma. Gastardo.
“I may have been an opposition in the past elections, but as far as the development of the Province of Cebu, I am with the administration of (Gov. Gwen) Garcia,” said Gastardo told Sun.Star Cebu.
The governor would always look at the needs of different municipalities, he said.
“Even if I belong to the opposition, I am still a Cebuano. I will always support the project of the governor,” the board member went on.
Although many Filipinos may lose the opportunity of having Garcia as their leader, Gastardo said the governor would always do all her best to perform her duties and responsibilities.
Continuity
Reps. Pablo Garcia, (Cebu, 3rd district), Benhur Salimbangon, (Cebu, 4th district), and Nerissa Soon-Ruiz (6th district) said they were happy over the governor’s decision to continue serving her constituents.
Rep. Garcia said she wanted that her daughter, Governor Garcia, to finish her term of office.
The veteran solon believed the governor could bring more developments in the province if she will stay in Cebu as governor.
Reps. Soon-Ruiz and Salimbangon said that Governor Garcia would be more effective delivering the basic services of her constituents if she continues her term as the Province’s chief executive. (GMD)
