During visit to Gov. Garcia on Christmas eve, Rep. Gullas recalls: “History is repeating itself”

CEBU, Philippines - Seeing what’s happening with embattled Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia at the Provincial Capitol now, Rep. Eduardo R. Gullas could not help but feel history is repeating itself.

Gullas, who was governor from 1976, 1980-1986, said he himself experienced the same when then president Corazon “Cory” Aquino, the mother of President Benigno Aquino III, assumed office after the Edsa Revolution.

His common denominator with Garcia: being told to step down.

“There was a people power in front of the Capitol and people wanted me to come down,” Gullas said as he recalled that a university president and a priest told him to step down.

But Gullas refused to heed the call. “I will not stay a minute here if there was an appointed governor by the president but before then, I will not leave here,” Gullas said as the memory was still fresh in his mind during the crisis at the Capitol. He said that if he stepped down at that time, he might be charged for dereliction of duty.

Gullas said he was governor by a mandate of appointment in 1976 by then president Ferdinand Marcos. Osmund Rama was the governor before he assumed office.

“In my case, I had an appointment with the president pero wa ko mi-assume (but I didn’t assume) until I went to Mundo’s (Osmundo) place, he was then the elected governor, and told him I was not aspiring for governorship,” Gullas said. Gullas recalled that Rama told him that it was he was the one rumored to be appointed.

It was Rama who helped Gullas when he took oath after knowing that Marcos already gave him his appointment papers.

“I know that Governor Gwen, like anybody, who has served as governor, pinangga gyud ang Sugbo. Dili gusto nga magka-gubot ang Sugbo, (…really loves Cebu and would not want trouble in Cebu),” Gullas said.

Gullas visited Garcia last December 24.

“All these years, she has served as governor, gusto sad siya nga rule of law ang mo-prevail. Gwen and (Acting governor Agnes) Magpale are in a situation where they will prove to all and sundry that there are many things that should unite us as Cebuanos than there are things that divide us,” he said

Gullas, however, opted not to give his opinion on whether or not the temporary restraining order (TRO) with the Court of Appeals will be issued in favor of the embattled governor.

“I am not prepared to sit in judgement on the case. Who am I? There is one thing - (Deputy Speaker Representative ) Pabling and (Cebu Third District Representative) Pablo John are brilliant trial lawyers. If TRO will be achieved or not, Gwen has already established a legacy of leadership and service which no other governor has ever done,” Gullas added. — (FREEMAN)