AFTER years of political hiatus, former Cebu City mayor Alvin Garcia is back in the political arena. He is running for Congress in the city's north district against a formidable opponent in long-time congressman Raul del Mar.
After finishing his first three terms (equivalent to nine years), Raul was succeeded by his son, Dr. Rannie del Mar. Then he returned and served another three terms and later on was succeeded by his daughter, Cutie. He returned again and is now on his second term. Nobody can question del Mar's performance in Congress and the projects he implemented in his district.
Alvin and Raul are good friends and are distant relatives. Well, in politics, nothing is personal. In fact, since the start of the campaign period, we haven't heard of issues they hurled against each other. No mudslinging. They just presented their platforms of government to the voters. Both are lawyers.
In the case of Alvin, who is the challenger, he is just presenting his plans and programs once elected. These include the giving of free college education to poor but deserving students and supporting the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical equipment for the new Cebu City Medical Center. He vowed to introduce programs that would alleviate the plight of the urban poor in his district.
The city was well managed during Alvin's stint as a mayor. He served for two terms. It was during his time that the South Road Properties (SRP) was fully developed. He introduced socialized housing projects. Like del Mar, Garcia can well represent the north district in Congress. But as the saying goes, “May the best man win.”
Meanwhile, Alvin's son, Atty. Raymond Alvin Garcia, is running for city councilor. Raymond is barangay councilor of Camputhaw and president of the Barangay Coucilors League of the Philippines (BCLP) in Cebu City. Recently, he was a recipient of a leadership award by the Rotary Club of Banilad Metro. With his background in public service and being a lawyer, Raymond can be an asset in the city council.
Like his father, Raymond is concerned with the plight of the underprivileged sector in society and for the younger generation, especially the out-of-school youths. Once elected, he promised to introduce measures to help these sectors improve their living condition. Father and son are running under Team Rama/United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).
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Another father and son who want to be public servants are Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and his son, Jaypee. Ed is on his second term while this is the first attempt of Jaypee, who is running for councilor in the north district under Team Rama. Nobody can question the integrity and dedication of the older Labella. He dedicated most of his life to public service since his Ombudsman days. He served in the council for several years until he was elected as vice mayor.
Like his father, Jaypee also has plans he will implement if elected. Maybe he has the same passion and dedication to public service as his father. He is no stranger to legislative works because he served as assistant to his father.
Meanwhile, four of my colleagues in the media are seeking public office in Cebu City. They are dyRC broadcaster and Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman, CCTN anchor and former Banilad barangay captain Malou Inocando-Tabar, The Freeman reporter and Tejero barangay councilor Gary Lao and comedian Allan “Goliat” Nacorda of dyHP. Ayuman is with Team Rama while Tabar and Lao are with the BOPK. They are running in the north district. Goliat is with BOPK's line-up in the south district.
Two of my friends, Tinago Barangay Captain Joel Garganera and former Anad party-list congressman Pastor “Jun” Alcover are seeking council seats in the north district under Team Rama. Joel is using the monicker, “Ang Panday.”
Both are highly qualified because they have been in public service for quite a time. Joel served as barangay captain for several years and has been actively involved in various public service works. Jun, on the other hand, has devoted his life to the preservation of democracy by fighting the communist ideology. Good luck my friends.
(bobby@sunstar.com.ph)