Photographs of Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and Bogo City Mayor Junnie Martinez “ warmly “ greeting each other promptly sparked a slew of interpretations. Not surprising, since the pics were titillating enough for the normally analytically-bent Cebuanos to resist.
The main stream of interpretations naturally drifted toward possible reconciliation of the two political titans, who have clashed at least twice previously for control of Capitol, battles that became ugly and personal.
Our own take of the photographs is that they were what they were, testaments to a moment that required civility and respect, even by enemies, in consonance with an occasion that demanded putting one’s best foot forward by everyone with a stake in Cebu’s well-being.
While it is tempting to weave political meanings out of every nuance frozen in time in those photographs, the fact that political realities seldom stay long enough to be permanent makes us cautious about given interpretations that may soon be overtaken by events.
If Garcia and Martinez reconcile, then certainly it is for their interests that they should. And Cebu will all be the better for it, since good governance is rendered even more effective with unity and cohesiveness than just plain addition of numbers.
Besides, while it is never too early for political maneuverings, the next political battles will not happen until about two years. And in something as fragile and unpredictable as politics, that is certainly too long a time.
There is so much more that Garcia and Martinez can do for the good of Cebu if they are together. Even just going through the motions of being together can project the kind of goodwill that can move things forward.
The “ Suroy-Suroy “ tourism strategy of Garcia, for instance, can even be more successful if people can see a lot of happy faces. Happiness is a positive thing. It is a good endorser of anything, especially tourism, one of the sunshine industries of the country.