CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr. will get a chance to meet on Monday, during the inaugural session of the Provincial Board, but Sanchez’s attempt to limit what the governor can say did not go over well.
“Her message should center only on programs and policies addressed to the PB,” Sanchez said in a radio dyLA interview. He said he is worried their supporters in the session hall might react if they hear any conflicting pronouncements in his and the governor’s speeches.
But Capitol consultant Atty. Rory Jon Sepulveda said it would be an insult for Sanchez to invite the governor yet state “limits” for her speech.
“He should not use his being the presiding officer as an edge. He doesn’t have the right to limit the speech of the governor to certain details,” Sepulveda said.
The vice governor earlier said he would rather that the governor address the first regular session, instead of the inaugural session. This way, he said, clashes in their speeches can be avoided, as well as “any possible interference in the proceedings of the inaugural session.”
Sepulveda pointed out that technically, the first session is the inaugural session.
“By custom and by law, the governor is expected to deliver an address,” he said, especially for the new PB members.
In recent weeks, both camps have traded allegations in press conferences. Sanchez alleged, among others, that road asphalting projects in the province were substandard. The governor’s camp shot back that he has been using Capitol employees for his private business.
Garcia and Sanchez ran under different parties in 2004, but sought reelection as political allies in 2007. In this year’s election, Garcia fielded businessman Glenn Soco for vice governor under One Cebu/Lakas-Kampi-CMD. Sanchez ran with the Liberal Party, with former Cebu City councilor Hilario Davide III as gubernatorial candidate.
Last Friday afternoon, Sanchez said, he agreed to invite Garcia after he had a closed-door meeting with the PB members to discuss the inaugural session this Monday.
Sepulveda said Governor Garcia is preparing her speech for the inaugural session. He could not say what priorities will be discussed in the speech, but is positive the highlight will be her 12-point agenda.
“We all are familiar with her programs but as to the order of priorities and preferences, we will have to listen to her this Monday,” Sepulveda said.