Campaigning in the 4th District: Gwen''s team ''invades'' Lito Osmena''s island of Carnasa

Reelectionist Governor Gwen Garcia yesterday morning led a team of administration candidates that forayed into the island of Carnasa, offshore of Daanbantayan town, which is owned by her political critic Emilio "Lito" Osmeña, a former governor.

The administration team reached the 100-hectare island, which is a two-hour boat ride from the wharf of barangay Poblacion in Daanbantayan.

The island, 90 percent of which is owned by Osmeña, has 1152 voters out of 3000 population that the Garcia team wanted to gain some foothold in their campaign sortie yesterday.

Garcia was with runningmate Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr., fourth district congressional aspirant Benhur Salimbangon, Provincial Board member candidates Joven Mondigo Jr. and Ribomapil "Joeyboy" Holganza.

They were accompanied by Daanbantayan Mayor Ma. Luisa Loot, who is now running for vice mayor, and her son Sun Shimura, a candidate for mayor, and their bets for the town council.

Carnasa barangay captain Ramon Camino led about 100 residents in greeting the Garcia team that set foot into the domain of Osmeña, who has been backing the opposition team of Antonio Yapha, for governor, and Clavel Asas-Martinez, for vice governor.

Osmeña, fondly known to the islanders as "Nyorito," was reportedly in the island when the Garcia team arrived.

He was quoted to have told earlier the residents that he would not mind if they choose the Shimura-Loot tandem for the town''s posts but urged them to vote for Yapha and Martinez for the provincial top posts.

"Bahala''g padag-on si Malou basta padag-a si Yapha ug Clavel," the residents quoted Osmeña as telling them before.

Mayor Loot, shortly after the Garcia team''s arrival, gathered along the shores the leaders and residents of the island for a short forum. They later held a political rally at the open grounds of the Carnasa Elementary School near the shores.

"Ayaw ko ninyo paka-uwawi nga mosunod mong Lito. Basta dili gani makadaog si Governor Garcia ug si Vice Governor Sanchez diri sa Carnasa, ayaw nalang pud ko ninyo padag-a diri sa inyong lugar," Loot told the residents in her speech.

Loot explained to the people that she cannot afford to let Garcia and Sanchez lose in the island because she always come to the Capitol to ask from the two officials for projects in her town.

"Unsa man ang akong nawong i-adto sa Kapitolyo unya napilde si Governor Garcia diri? Dili ko makatugot niana," she said.

Camino, in a separate interview told reporters, that his people are supporting Loot''s group and that means it includes Garcia and Sanchez.

The barangay captain credited the provincial government, under Garcia, for helping the construction of a school there but he acknowledged also the big things that Osmeña did to the place, such as road paving.

Osmeña was seen touring the island with his golf cart and was also seen in an upland barangay, which he reportedly developed with an airstrip and a golf course. - Garry B. Lao/RAE