Transition talks held: Garcia meets

CEBU, Philippines - An exchange of pleasantries and promises to pray for each other, and a tour together at the Capitol were what transpired yesterday during the first ever meeting of outgoing Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Governor-elect Hilario "Junjun" Davide III.

The two also had a meeting with the department heads.

Feeling both surprised and happy after receiving the call from Garcia's staff, Davide arrived at 9:45 for his 10:00 am meeting with Garcia.

Davide and Garcia shook hands and greeted each other before they entered the main office of the governor for a short discussion on the upcoming turn-over ceremony this Friday.

After that, Garcia showed Davide around the executive building starting with her office, then to the old conference room where Davide will be temporarily using as his office while the governor's office will be cleared of Garcia's things.

Garcia also showed Davide the Governor's Gallery where memorabilia of past governors are placed. They then proceeded to the Conference Hall where all department heads were waiting.

Davide was accompanied by members of his transition team, namely; Atty. Ramil Abing, Atty. Mark Tolentino and Ethel Natera.

During the meeting with department heads, Garcia formally introduced Davide and asked the department heads to introduce themselves to the new governor.

She then discussed her 12-point agenda to Davide through a power-point presentation where she showed all her programs in her three terms as governor.

Garcia showed Davide projects she focused on like infrastructure including roads, bridges, school buildings and public restrooms.

The presentation also showed Garcia's programs in health, agriculture, water as well as local and foreign cities where Cebu has sisterhood agreements.

In an interview with the media, Davide was grateful for Garcia's warm welcome and the time she spent discussing her 12-point agenda.

He acknowledged the "many programs" of Garcia and said that he has a number of projects lined up too, with some even similar with Garcia's as far as advocacy is concerned.

Included in the discussed programs was the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo of Garcia which Davide admitted that he was initially reluctant to pursue.

Davide confirmed yesterday that he spoke with Vice Governor-elect Agnes Magpale on the matter and he is willing to push through with the program but with some modifications.

In the recent Suroy-Suroy program where Magpale was acting governor, the said modifications were already imposed with lesser expenses and more time for guests to tour the cities and municipalities.

During the discussion of the 12-point agenda, Garcia also mentioned the Balili property but Davide said that it was not about the case but was only stated in passing as part of the projects of the government.

Garcia is currently facing graft charges on the purchase of the controversial Balili property in Naga.

Further, Davide admitted that he was surprised that Garcia called for a meeting.

"Quite frankly, wala gyud ga expect," said Davide, adding that he was surprised when the chief of staff of Garcia called his transition team for a meeting. "Very accommodating. She was kind enough to give me a tour."

Davide said that he was actually planning to write Garcia a letter had they not gotten the call.

"Hopefully it would be a good start and she assured me of her prayers. After all this is for Cebu," said Davide, also expressing that Garcia is also in his prayers as she proceeds to serve the 3rd district of Cebu as congresswoman.

Garcia also assured Davide yesterday that all the department heads currently under her will be giving all the support Davide would need.

As for who he would retain as department head, Davide said he would still need to assess their performance.

Garcia still turned down interviews with the media. This has been the scene since she returned office last week from her six-month suspension.

Davide confirmed that the ceremonial turn-over this Friday would be attended by Garcia and himself. He will then have a ceremonial oath-taking this Sunday, June 30, with Magpale and Provincial Board members.

President Benigno Aquino III will not be able to make it to the oath-taking since Aquino has already sworn into office all governors under the Liberal Party last June 13.

Magpale welcomed the result of the meeting between Davide and Garcia.

"Nindot kaayo para smooth kaayo ang turn over," Magpale said. She will be turning over to Davide documents that the transition team which she earlier created before Garcia returned to office.

After the meeting at the Capitol, Davide met Magpale in Asturias town hall for the oath taking of re-elected Vice Mayor Joel Dumdum and son, councilor-elect Dana Andrew Dumdum.

In a simple ceremony, Magpale has sworn in Councilor Dumdum, followed by Davide who has sworn in Vice Mayor Dumdum. Vice Mayor Dumdum filed his certificate of candidacy under One Cebu Party with re-elected Mayor Alan Adlawan.

A month before the campaign period, Dumdum had a conflict with Adlawan, prompting the former to shift alliance. Adlawan and Dumdum ran unopposed in the last May 13 elections.-/JPM (FREEMAN)