Editorial: Even if ‘truce’ is off
THERE'S nothing to worry about so far in the current Capitol setup.
Even if the recent “truce” in Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia’s verbal war with Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez lasted only a day, no collateral damage in their conflict can be noted so far.
But changes in the setup have started to surface, like in the plan of the governor to bypass the vice governor on the disbursement of the Legislative Assistance Fund (LAF).
Expect the Garcia camp to continue finding ways to isolate Sanchez for as long as their relationship remains sour.
One thing good in this is that the delineation of the functions of the governor and the vice governor will be clarified legally if the differences in views reach the courts.
That should be enlightening as far as the public is concerned.
The danger there is when the governor goes beyond her announced intention, which is to ensure the “wiser” use of the LAF, and instead takes advantage of the new setup to deny funding help to the vice governor’s known supporters.
How everything will turn out, however, still remains to be seen.
Questions
On the other hand, it will be to the best interest of provincial constituents if the charges and counter-charges the two warring camps have raised will be resolved satisfactorily.
On the side of the governor, she seems determined to do this in the issue involving the vice governor-initiated barangay road project in Tuburan.
The vice governor, meanwhile, has raised a number of issues, the latest of which is his questioning the governor’s travels to different countries especially during her previous term.
But there are serious accusations that he should pursue doggedly if he is convinced that the governor did commit irregularities.
What happened, for example, to the questions he raised about Capitol’s road asphalting projects?
Proof
What we are saying is that the campaign period, when propaganda and mudslinging become important components of a winning strategy, has long been over.
We are now in a period when charges and counter-charges officials make should serve the truth and good governance.
If those who make allegations cannot back them up with solid evidence and cannot pursue charges to the end, the better option is to shut up.