The results of the May 14 elections have brought a stop to the campaign to carve three more provinces out of Cebu. Cebuanos, majority of whom would rather prefer to keep the province intact, can now heave a sigh of relief at this development.
With the unexpected demise of Sugbuak, as the effort to divide the province is being notoriously called, comes the end of its proponents’ political rule. Former Reps. Simeon Kintanar, Antonio Yapha and Clavel Asas-Martinez no longer have control over their respective districts following a blow that nipped their political clout in the bud.
For the next three years, at least, we can safety expect that Sugbuak will not have a day in the sun. All the issues relating to it will surely fail to create an impact without its main advocates making noise in the House of Representatives.
The past three years have been very unproductive ones as far as the officials of the second, third and fourth districts are concerned. It was during those years when the three former lawmakers and their allies were so preoccupied with the Sugbuak thing that they failed to deliver the goods to their constituents.
And their obsession with Sugbuak had cost them dearly politically.
A relative of Kintanar lost to political veteran Pablo Garcia in the second district’s congressional race while Yapha’s wife, Estrella, was defeated by political neophyte Pablo John Garcia in the fight for Congress in the third district. Martinez, hoping to grab the second highest post in the province, lost to reelectionist Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez with her son failing to succeed her fourth district congressional seat in Congress.
With the death of Sugbuak, it’s time for the province to look forward to achieve greater economic gains without being interrupted by another political gimmick by the opposition, which has been greatly reduced in size and strength, and will no longer be seen as a force to reckon with.
All the positive indicators are there: a vibrant local economy and a bustling tourism activity. Just a click of the unity switch and Cebu will once again be soaring to greater heights for eventual economic prosperity.