Gwen backs Belmonte’s re-election

CEBU, Philippines  â€“ “Above everything else, it is relationship that should count the most.” 

Thus said Cebu representative-elect and Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia as she threw her support behind the re-election of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. against Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. 

“Our family will always be grateful for the friendship and support of Speaker Belmonte,” Garcia told The Freeman. “Speaker Belmonte has my vote.”          

Belmonte belongs to the Liberal Party, while Romualdez is the president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats. 

Garcia, who was elected representative of the third district of Cebu in the recent elections, ran under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Jejomar Binay and former President Joseph Estrada.

Of the 292 members of the incoming 16th Congress, only eight are UNA members, namely Garcia; Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, UNA spokesman and secretary-general; Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao; Makati Reps. Abigail Binay and Monique Lagdameo; Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones; Iloilo Rep. Jun Biron; and Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting.

Last week, Garcia took her oath of office before Belmonte. 

According to Garcia, she is now excited to work as a congresswoman on July 1. She  has visited her office, which is occupied by outgoing Rep. Pablo John Garcia.

The governor is expected to undergo training for her new job. “I want to be a working congresswoman,” she said. 

Since Monday, Garcia has reported for work at the capitol as outgoing governor after she finished serving her 180-day suspension by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.  

On her first day of work after her 180-day suspension, Garcia established her full authority, as she reinstated a department head relieved by Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale. 

In her first meeting with department heads last Thursday, Garcia reinstated Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) chief Marivic Garces, who was relieved and transferred to the Integrated Provincial Health Office under Dr. Cristina Giango.

“I’m now reinstated as the genuine, real and true head of the PSWDO,” Garces said after the meeting.

Garces was relieved earlier this year by then acting governor Magpale but questioned the eligibility of the new PSWDO chief, Evelyn Senajon, who she said is a nurse and not a registered social worker.

She alleged that Senajon’s appointment was a “political accommodation.”

With her remaining days in office, Garcia wasted no time as she visited the families affected by a tornado in Sitio Libo, Barangay Mojon, Talisay City last Tuesday.