Gungob calls on other mayors to junk Gwen

Consolacion town Mayor Avelino Gungob Jr. is calling on all mayors in Cebu to go against Governor Gwendolyn Garcia in the coming elections.

"Gahi kaayo na siya og kasingkasing. Kung inahan siya sa Sugbo, siya unta ang mosapupo namo. What kind of governor she is? Angayan na gyud na siyang ilisan. Hinaut makadungog ang ubang mayor kay kung makadaug usab si Gwen, mag-antos na sad ta og tulo ka tuig," Gungob said.

Gungob elaborated how the governor is a "dictator" when she allegedly tore yesterday the P4.1-million check intended as financial aid for his town. Of the amount, P2.1 million is supposed to be distributed to each of the town's 21 barangays while the remaining sum is for the municipal government.

The mayor added that in July last year, he asked P5 million from Garcia to pay for the salary of the municipal employees, but the governor gave him P1 million only after five months.

"Daghang mga mayor ang ni-congratulate nako sa akong gibuhat sa pag-speak up g'yud batok sa atong gobernadora. Ang iyang pagka diktador, nakapahiubos gyud na namong mga mayor. Pirmi lang mi kasab-an," Gungob said during a press conference yesterday after he and his partymates officially took their oath as candidates of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats.

Gungob said he would show how to defeat Garcia in his town. "I cannot promise nga zerohan siya (Garcia) sa Consolacion. Pero ubay-ubay gyud nga mga presinto nga ma zerohan siya."

Gungob said Consolacion, which has 43,234 voters, has the biggest real estate taxes, which amount to P15 million to P20 million a year, among the 48 municipalities of the province.

"Magsakit akong dughan inig pirma sa check nga ka dako ang nahatag namo sa probinsiya unya gamay ra ang balik sa amoa," the mayor lamented.

Last week, Gungob was expelled from One Cebu party for declaring his support to Provincial Board Member Gabriel Luis "Luigi" Quisumbing, who is running against sixth district re-electionist Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, the party's candidate.

The mayor was the district chairman of One Cebu until he announced that he and 19 of his 21 barangay captains are supporting Quisumbing.

Garcia, however, denied yesterday Gungob's accusation that she tore down the check intended for his town.

"Nagpasagad naman lang na siya og sulti," said Capitol consultant Pablo John Garcia, who spoke in behalf of the governor, his older sister.

Pablo John said he has the check and the voucher with him.

"So, it's either he's a liar or he has gone mad. I hope he is just a liar," he said. - Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon and Gregg M. Rubio/LPM