Defensor supports anti-Sugbuak pact

Team Unity senatorial candidate Michael "Tol Mike" Defensor is making a stand on one of Cebu''s controversial issue, the Sugbuak or the proposed bill dividing Cebu into four provinces.

"Personally, I am not in favor at all in dividing Cebu. Kasi may sentimental value na ang Cebu. Cebu has been established long before the Republic of the Philippines was established," Defensor, who was in Cebu yesterday for his campaign sorties, said.

Defensor added that Cebu is already known even before the Spanish time and has long already been in the pages of history.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña have initiated the signing of a manifesto opposing the split-Cebu bills as a condition for supporting senatorial bets in the polls.

Garcia had already called on all Cebuanos "to stand up and fight for our unity and for Cebu" as she vowed "to fight them every step of the way, with every ounce and fiber of my being, and with the total force of my faith in and passion for Cebu and the Cebuanos."

Furthermore, Defensor said that if he wins in the coming May polls, he will make Cebu and Iloilo as his priority, as what he has done for these provinces were highly appreciated.

When asked on why the Cebuanos should vote for him, Defensor answered, "I have the track record in governance and leadership and I am hardworking. I will continue to promote Cebu especially its tourism industry."

Defensor was elected councilor of Quezon City in 1992, the youngest member of that body. He was reelected in 1992. He was then elected congressman of the third district of Quezon City in 1995, making him the youngest member of the House of Representatives. He won reelection in 1998.

He was named one of the Top 10 Legislators, New Millennium''s Most Outstanding Solons and Most Consistent Outstanding Congressman for three consecutive years by the Gladiators Magazine and Congress Watch Magazine. Reelected in 1998, Defensor was voted by his partymates as assistant minority floor leader of the Eleventh Congress.

Following President Arroyo''s assumption to the presidency, Defensor was named presidential adviser on housing and chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

He was awarded Most Outstanding Cabinet Secretary by the Gawad Paglilingkod Metro Manila Radio Reporters Organization in 2002 in recognition of his performance as chairman of the HUDCC.

In 1999, he was cited by Asiaweek as one of Asia''s Political Leaders of the New Millennium. - Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/MEEV