Guv: Mayor's bolting out, won't affect Barili town

CEBU, Philippines - Projects continue to pour into Barili town despite Mayor Teresito Mariñas’ change of allegiance to the Liberal Party.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said it is of no consequence to them that Mariñas bolted out One Cebu Party to join LP.

The Governor said she is always grateful to all the people in Barili for having been very supportive to her.

“That is really of no consequence to us. Maybe it might be of consequence to him and probably to the Liberal Party,” Garcia said in a press conference yesterday.

Garcia claimed that her brother, Vice Mayor Marlon Garcia, all the municipal councilors and practically all barangay captains are with her in One Cebu.

“Perhaps he thinks that this is the best way to address his future plans in preparation for 2013.If he believes that the priority is to prepare for 2013 and he has own plans, let him be,” she said.

Garcia yesterday signed the program of work for the improvement of Mantalongon Public Market worth P5.3 million and another P1 million for the other public market in Poblacion, Barili.

While others already positioning themselves for the next elections, Garcia said, “Ang ako gitan-aw ang karon pa ug daghan pa ta og trabahoonon, mao’y akong gitagaan sa full attention.”

Garcia stressed that “the Barili mayor is rather isolated from the rest of the officials down to barangay level.”

“Is that the case in the other towns? Can I give you that same question?,” Garcia said when asked if she is expecting more mayors to follow Mariñas.

“I believe a vast majority of our officials are more focused on work right now rather than politics,” she said.     - (THE FREEMAN)