CEBU, Philippines - Suspended Governor Gwendolyn is still wishing to dance with the contingent of the Province of Cebu in this year’s Sinulog Grand Parade on January 20.
However, her wish will depend on how the Court of Appeal resolves her petition for temporary restraining order which is set for oral arguments on January 10.
This year is supposed to be the ninth and the last Sinulog Festival for Garcia to dance as governor of the Province of Cebu with a municipality’s festival of her choice.
“Ako g’yung gi-ampo ug ako naglaum nga mahuman kining atong giatubang karon nga matawag tang krisis gyud ug ako nag-ampo nga makakuha gyud ta og katarungan didto sa Court of Appeals,” Garcia told reporters. (I am praying and hoping that the crisis we are facing now will soon be over and I pray that we can get justice before the Court of Appeals.)
“Ang assurance kung mahatagan ug hustisya ug katarungan sa korte, ug mahibalik kanato ang ato mga functions and powers as governor ug ideklarar nga illegal gayud ang suspension order,” Garcia also said. (That depends on whether we can get justice from the court, and we can get back the functions and powers and governor and the suspension order will be declared illegal.)
Last year, Garcia danced in a Spanish-inspired gown with Argao town’s La Torta Festival contingent.
This year, Garcia is set to dance with the 2012 Pasigarbo sa Sugbo grand champion, Rosquillos’ Festival contingent, of Liloan town whose mayor, Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco, is the husband of lawyer Christina Garcia Frasco, the governor’s daughter.
With the Capitol crisis, Mayor Frasco told The FREEMAN that his instruction to the committee is to proceed as planned.
Frasco said that he is expecting cash assistance from the Capitol as what has been practiced since the past years to the official contingent of the Province of Cebu.
“However, I doubt Vice-Gov. Agnes Magpale will release financial assistance,” Frasco said.
To this, Magpale said, “Let him come to us, tan-awon nato maka-afford ba ta.”
Both Garcia and Magpale expressed willingness to extend financial assistance to the Sinulog Foundation as what has been done in the past in the spirit of cooperation.
Magpale said that it could be lower than the P3 million Garcia gave last year considering the present situation of the Provincial Government.
“Still willing to give. . .ayaw lang ko pasayawa,” Magpale said. — (FREEMAN)