Garcia gets support from 2 ex-Cebu govs

MANILA, Philippines - Former Cebu governors Emilio “Lito” Osmeña and Eduardo Gullas, the third-term Cebu first district congressman, have thrown their support for Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia should she run for a national position in 2013.

Gullas served as Cebu governor during the Marcos administration while Osmeña led the provincial government from 1988 to 1992.

It was Gullas who first declared his support for Garcia last January, saying she is the “best governor that Cebu has” and that she is “ripe” for a national post.  

Osmeña, who had been at odds with Garcia over management style, said he would support her, as she is a Cebuano.

Osmeña ran in the last senatorial elections, garnering majority votes in the Visayas.

“I will vote for her even if she doesn’t ask me. We have to teach the Cebuanos what is the best for everybody,” Osmeña said, adding that he even told his brother, former senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña, to support Garcia’s bid for a national post.

Osmeña, who still plays an active role in politics, cited smaller regions like Bicol that have national representatives.

“If she runs, I will campaign for her,” he said.

In a recent interview, Garcia said she was awaiting “guidance from above” as to what option to take after the end of her term in 2013.

In a November 2011 Pulse Asia nationwide survey on who Filipinos want to vote for senator in the 2013 elections, Garcia ranked No. 45 in a list of 70.

Even some Cabinet members under the Aquino administration who have had national exposure were behind Garcia in the survey.

“All of these things I am really considering and I’m keeping my options open because after all, the direction that we take must be guided from the Lord Almighty. I am praying for guidance,” Garcia said.

– The Freeman News Service