Pabling's congressional BID: Support from mayors of 2nd district not final

Former governor Pablo "Pabling" Garcia is not yet assured of the support of the 15 mayors in the second district where he plans to run for congressman even if the mayors are politically supporting his daughter, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, because there was no formal consultation made prior to the announcement.

Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Allan Cesante, who is also being considered for the position by his fellow mayors in the district, said that Pabling has yet to meet with them.

Cesante however said that the matter will be collectively decided by the mayors in the district and the candidates for mayors that the outgoing mayors like him will endorse. Cesante is on his last term as mayor of Dalaguete and is one of those being considered as a possible candidate for congressman.

Their congressman, Rep. Simeon Kintanar, is no longer eligible for reelection.

While Cesante said he is more inclined to run for the provincial board, he said it his up to his group to decide what position to go for.

Argao Mayor Wilfredo Caminero is also a likely congressional candidate.

Caminero said that even if Kintanar will endorse his own candidate for congressman it will not be a factor to divide the solid second district group because they have agreed to decide who will be the candidate to support collectively.

Last week, the former governor announced his plan to run for Congress in the second district saying that people from Manila asked him to share his legal expertise in Congress. Garcia once served as a congressman before he was elected governor for three consecutive terms.

Provincial Board member Carmiano "Cary" Kintanar, who is an ally of Gwen, is going to run against Pabling in the congressional race in the second district.

Carmiano yesterday said he will be running under the banner of the Lakas Party of President Gloria Arroyo. Even if he will run against the governor's father he will still be supporting Gwen in her gubernatorial bid because she has "no opponent".

Carmiano said he really had no thought of running for the said position but the people of Argao asked him to run.

Gwen's camp are expected to form a new political group by the end of the month after Cebu's hosting of the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit scheduled from January 10 to 15.

Incumbent Second District Rep. Kintanar is a first cousin of Carmiano's father, Ed, who served twice as congressman in the fourth district, which used to be composed of the towns of Sibonga, Argao, Boljoon and Alcoy.

Prior to his stint as Provincial Board member in 2004, Kintanar used to serve as the chief political officer of Congress from 1998 to 2000.

He was also the executive director of the Office of the President in the Visayas and was appointed by former president Corazon Aquino as OIC mayor of Argao in 1986.

Meanwhile, former Governor Vicente dela Cerna denied rumors that he is running for vice mayor in Cebu City.

Dela Cerna said he is not eligible to run in Cebu City in the first place because he is a registered voter of Mandaue City, he also said no politician has asked for his support. -Fred P. Languido and Cristina C. Birondo/BRP