‘Never Again’ proponents bogus, Garcia’s camp says

CEBU, Philippines - The camp of former governor and current Cebu third district Representative Gwendolyn Garcia has claimed that the group that mounted the “Never Again” banners at the Cebu International Convention Center and the South Road Properties is “bogus.”

 Garcia said the group, Cebuanos for Good Governance and Development, is not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) nor does it have a pending application for registration.

 The group is also not on the list of Capitol’s accredited non-governmental organizations or people’s organizations.

 “Now you see them, now you don’t…just like their banners,” Garcia said.

 The group has claimed responsibility over the “Never Again” banner at the CICC after speculations were raised that Governor Hilario Davide III was behind it.

It also claimed responsibility for the banner at the SRP at the area of Barangay Tanke, Talisay City but the banner was removed a day after the public took notice Monday.

The banner read, “NEVER AGAIN... UNDERWATER BALILI PROPERTY 100 MILLION PESOS OF PEOPLE’S MONEY WASTED!!!”

The message was in reference to the controversial lot purchased by the provincial government during Garcia’s term as governor. Her brother, Winston, is challenging incumbent Governor Hilario Davide III in the 2016 polls.

Talisay Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante told The Freeman yesterday the banner gave a negative impression on Davide.

“With no offense ni Gov. Junjun, ang reaksyon sa mga tawo nga ang Never Again nga gibutang, mao ang Never Again ni Davide,” Villarante said.

“Ang katong Balili panahon na ni Gwen ug dili na kang Winston nga muatbang ni Davide. I do not know ug unsa ang impact ato basta ang pagsabut sa mga tawo nga never again gyud sila ni Davide,” he added.

Davide, for his part, said he cannot stop the people from making a stand.

“Di na nako sila mapugngan because that is their freedom of expression,” he told reporters yesterday while in Alegria.

He said, though, that the proponents should be “mindful” of the banner’s location.

“If they want to put it in a public building, they should ask permission from the local government unit where these public buildings are located. If they want to put it in a private building, then they should seek permission from the owner,” he said.

The banner at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) was taken down last weekend. —(FREEMAN)