Leaders from Davide turf visit Gwen

CEBU, Philippines - Almost half of the 45 barangay captains of Argao town visited suspended Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia at the Capitol.

The 21 barangay captains led by their president of the Association of Barangay Councils, Arnelito Rubin of barangay Binlod and vice president Rey Gonzaga of barangay Balisong, were greeted by their congressman, Deputy Speaker Pablo "Pabling" Garcia.

They were joined later by One Cebu gubernatorial candidate, third district Rep. Pablo John "PJ" Garcia.

The barangay captains expressed their strong support to the governor who according to them has helped them in their projects.

Argao is the hometown of gubernatorial candidate Hilario Davide III of the Liberal Party.

Davide lost to Gov. Garcia in 2010 elections while he will be facing PJ in May this year.

During their meeting, Pabling apprised the barangay captains of the recent survey they have conducted on the second week of December 2012.

Pabling said that although PJ lost to Davide in Argao, PJ is ahead in the overall result in the entire district.

PJ got 61 percent while Davide got 33 percent in the entire second district. PJ's runningmate, Ramon "Boboy" Durano IV, got 29 percent while Davide's runningmate, acting Governor Agnes Magpale, got 24 percent.

Pabling got 63 percent in the congressional race against Provincial Board Member Wilfredo Caminero with 13 percent.

The survey also showed that former congressman Simeon Kintanar got 14 percent which is even higher than Caminero's. 

 Meanwhile in the first district, Carcar City Council and the Municipality of Sibonga expressed "full and unconditional support to the mandate" of Gwen as the legitimate governor of the Province of Cebu.

 Garcia, who is on her third and last term, was meted six months suspension imposed by the Office of the President based on the recommendation of the DILG.

In separate resolutions, the councils said they are "extremely saddened" by the events.

"Without waiting for confirmation of acceptance by Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia on said suspension order, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale took her oath of office as Governor of Cebu and immediately discharge the duties as such, giving so much confusion and dilemma not only among the key officials, Department Heads and employees of the Cebu Provincial Government, but more importantly the populace of Cebu Province," the resolutions read.

The resolutions also stated that they are aware of the intention of Garcia to exhaust all means and remedies.

"It is the common sentiment of this administration to come out and express unwavering, full support to the mandate of Honorable Gwendolyn F. Garcia as the legitimate Governor of the Province of Cebu since we believe that her administration is serving best the Cebuanos in all walks of life, without any penchant of political choice," they said.

 Carcar City Councilors Alberto Camingao and Harold Nacua, the proponents of the resolution, also said that "a status quo ante before the service of the suspension order without confirmation of acceptance would best serve the Cebuano people, and would bring sanity to the confusion and dilemma as a result of the assumption of Hon. Agnes Magpale as Acting Governor."

Carcar City Mayor Nicepuro Apura and Sibonga Mayor Lionel Bacaltos signed the resolution last December 21.

Last month, The Naga City Government also expressed its support to suspended governor and her stand that she remains the legitimate chief executive of the Cebu Province despite her suspension. — (FREEMAN)