What rules for GCQ'd city say
HOW many Executive Order (EO) 143s does the office of the Cebu City mayor have?
Friday, October 1, Acting Mayor Michael Rama announced that he signed "and put into motion Executive Order, through which the City expresses 'I Love You' to all citizens, to all Filipinos for that matter." It is, he said in a Facebook post, "in our love for our fellowmen and our country that we crafted this new guide."
A.M. Mike must peg his declaration of affection on the number "143," which, he told a press-con the preceding day, represents "I love you."
There was, however, already an EO 143 from the same office, from Mayor Edgardo Labella, who's on his seventh sick leave and is scheduled to report on Monday, October 8. Labella's EO 143 is about paying the cash aid to persons with disability (covering June to September). The EO was dated September 8.
Mike Rama's EO 143, publicized October 1, covers regulations for this month's phase of the quarantine, including "Oplan Puyo," operation of restaurants and bars, and lifting of the liquor ban. The other difference is that Mike says the EO is a love message.
Last Thursday, September 30, IATF placed Cebu City, along with Cebu Province and Mandaue City under general quarantine or GCQ, for the period from October 1 to 31. Lapu-Lapu City is GCQ "with heightened restrictions."
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Teasers from bets
[] A photo, with no comment or caption, of Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia seated across a table before a Comelec officer at the site of filing certificates of candidacy before the provincial election office was circulated Friday, October 1, the first day of the eight-day period for filing COCs or certificates of candidacy in the May 2022 elections. Inevitably, it drew the question, Is she filing her COC? Who's her running mate?
[] A poster with the line "Tomorrow begins with Tom," with a single yellow flower and the BOPK logo seemed to remind the public that he might run for congressman in the south district or even city mayor. And tomorrow (Saturday, October 2) could be the day for filing. The public is interested in the possible surprise the former mayor and BOPK chief might pull.
Other candidates have their way to teasing and titillating public interest. Each party or candidate to the respective choice in the manner of catching people's attention.
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Pandemic killer an early filer
Those who filed early and told the community about it included:
[1] For president, retired boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and his vice president, former Manila mayor Lito Atienza;
[2] One Dr. Jose Montemayor, a cardiologist, for president. His election promise: to end the pandemic.
[2] Talisay Mayor Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas, for congressman of Cebu's first district, a position he held in 2013. The cliffhanger is the position of mayor that he'd be leaving. It was not yet known if Samsam's wife also filed her COC for Talisay City mayor, in a bid to succeed her husband. As to the family patriarch, multiple-termer Rep. Eduardo "Eddiegul" Gullas, 91, this October 13, told media he wouldn't run in the next election and would retire from politics.
[3] Rep. Pablo John "PJ" Garcia, for reelection as congressman in Cebu's third district. "First day, first hour," Garcia said, referring to his early filing.
[4] In Ilocos Sur, political kingpin and Narvacan town mayor Luis "Chavit" Singson, for vice governor against his son, outgoing governor Ryan Luis Singson. Chavit will have as running mate for governor his elder brother Jerry, who is the incumbent vice governor. Ryan's wife Patch Savellano Singson will oppose Jerry. Whoever will win, the spoils will stay within the family.
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