Loot and Shimura stay with Gwen

CEBU, Philippines - Despite Governor Gwendolyn Garcia giving the go signal for the filing of administrative charges against them, Daanbantayan Vice Mayor Ma. Luisa Loot said she and her son, Mayor Sun Shimura, will support Garcia in next year’s elections.

“Di ta plastic. Mulaban, mulaban gyud. One Cebu man kaha ta…” Loot said before barangay officials and teachers of Daanbantayan in a gathering at the municipal hall recently.

Garcia reportedly sanctioned the filing of charges against Loot and Shimura for their alleged failure to implement various Capitol-initiated development programs. The mother and son were also accused of failing to maintain a Province-owned vehicle given through an agreement between Capitol and Daanbantayan.

Loot also backed an earlier statement of Shimura assuring full support to programs of the Provincial Government, including the yearly “Pasigarbo sa Sugbo,” which will be held next month.

Loot said she and her son pledged their support for Garcia to prevent other politicians from using the issue of filing the complaints during the campain.

“She is our mother ug way anak nga motukol ug inahan,” Loot said.

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Marivic Garces and General Services Office officer-in-charge Bernard Calderon filed the complaints against Loot and Shimura before the Provincial Board.

Garces and Calderon alleged that the municipal officials committed “gross negligence and dereliction of duty” for their failure to implement Capitol-initiated programs, such as the Early Child Care and Development and Saksak food program and for their failure to maintain a Capitol-issued vehicle. — Gregg M. Rubio/JMO (THE FREEMAN)