Gwen meets mayors to prepare for Gibo rally

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia met yesterday afternoon with mayors and representatives of various groups to prepare for the grand rally of administration party presidential bet Gilberto ‘Gibo’ Teodoro on April 27.

Garcia reiterated her support for Teodoro and said that those mayors who want to jump ship because of monetary considerations are free to do so.

Teodoro is due in Cebu on the 27th as guest speaker during the celebration of Kadaugan sa Mactan, which commemorates the victory of local chieftain Lapu-Lapu over the Spanish forces led by explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

After the activity in Mactan he will be attending various political rallies in key areas around the province like Toledo City, Medellin, Bantayan and Camotes.

The meeting was seen by observers as another show of force by the supporters of Teodoro amid reports that there would be mayors that would move to the Nacionalista Party of Senator Manny Villar, which has promised them funds.

Congressmen Pablo Garcia Cebu, 2nd), Pablo John Garcia (Cebu 3rd) and Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu 4th) reassured that majority of the mayors from their districts will be supporting Teodoro contrary to speculations.

Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy, vice president of the Cebu Municipal Mayors League who attended the meeting, also denied reports of possible transfer of some mayors to Villar’s camp.

Governor Garcia said, “We stand by that commitment. Nothing has changed and nothing will change” on the support of her One Cebu Party to Teodoro’s presidential bid.

   The governor said the party has provided mobilization funds to the mayors contrary to reports that they have failed to provide support.

She said that they are also concerned about the needs of the mayors most especially this campaign season.

Garcia also said that Teodoro has even used his personal funds to help provide for their candidates.

There were speculations of cracks in One Cebu Party when its candidate for mayor in Mandaue City, Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, dropped her support for Teodoro and joined the camp of Villar.

She also resigned from One Cebu, but promised to continue supporting Gov. Garcia and her runningmate Glenn Soco.

For the April 27 grand rally, Garcia and the mayors that have remained staunch in their support for Teodoro, will pool their resources together to show their commitment. (FREEMAN NEWS)