Cebu governor hopes to unify Lakas factions

CEBU — Setting aside the failed local political alliance between the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) party and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Gov. Pablo Garcia is focusing on unifying instead the Lakas factions in the province.

"We admit we have our problems in Lakas, but we will solve them," he said as he expressed optimism that the Lakas factions — his own and that of the Martinezes — would be united just in time for the 2004 elections.

Garcia said circumstances are going toward this end considering that the lines of communication between him and Agriculture Undersecretary Celestino Martinez Jr. are already open.

He expressed hope that President Arroyo would intercede in this matter to achieve unity among local Lakas members.

The main issue to contend with, he said, is having a gubernatorial candidate for Lakas who will be acceptable to both factions.

The provincial Lakas party has been divided because Martinez wants to get the party’s endorsement for the governorship, while Garcia, the party’s provincial chairman, has been betting on his daughter, Gwendolyn, for the same post.

However, Martinez said he might accede to the forging of an alliance and, as such, would be willing to submit himself to the alliance’s selection and arbitration committee to determine the best bet for the top provincial post.

Meanwhile, Garcia belittled Vice Gov. John Gregory Osmeña’s claim that he (Osmeña) could get the President’s endorsement.

"John-John is so naive to believe that he can make things happen the way he wants," he said.

Mrs. Arroyo was here last Wednesday but failed to forge an alliance between her administration party and the NPC.

The local NPC leaders were open to the coalition, but the Lakas local leaders rejected it.

The Garcia and Martinez factions showed unity on that aspect as both had opposed the proposed coalition.

But Speaker Jose De Venecia said before his return to Manila with the President, that the Lakas-NPC alliance would still be pursued definitely by next week. — Freeman News Service