Letter To The Editor - Cebu political dynasty: Can towns be spared?

Now its official, at least in the news at one local daily, two more Garcias are craving to vie as mayors for Dumanjug and Barili towns (December 27, 2008 issue). Unconfirmed reports are also rife that another two more Garcias are seeking elective positions for the city of Carcar and the first or second district of Cebu.

Summing it with three incumbents, that make seven Garcias seeking elections come 2010. Call it freedom or greed, it will surely become a political issue in the next elections and revive the ethics of political dynasty.

But how good are the Garcias to an ordinary Cebuano? Is one Cebuano as good as any other Garcia? Is political dynasty irrelevant in our present age? So far we have more questions than answers. But let me just stick to my town of Barili. Marlon Garcia (first time I heard of that name) the news item says, was officially announcing his candidacy during the recent Poblacion, Barili fiesta program and reportedly visiting barangays this early because, according to him, he saw no development in the town from the time when he was still a small kid vacationing in their farmhouse in barangay Balao until the present.

Of course that is understandably indiscriminate. Adult Barilinian would know that former Barili Mayor Librada Pace was instrumental in the founding of practically 50 percent of all barangays in the town and was even awarded Most Outstanding Municipal Mayor by Malacañang; former Mayor Sergio Antonio "Tony" Paras was highly respected for his managerial skills and town beautification that earned it the Cleanest and Greenest Town in the province of Cebu.

Unknown to many, incumbent Mayor Dr. Teresito P. Mariñas in his first 100 days in office, gambled his political career by ordering a massive tax campaigns that earned the town increased revenues unprecedented in all administrations combined. He even wielded unpredicted political will what other previous mayors failed to do by reopening the two old Spanish roads settled by vote-rich and irate squatters. But to me the greatest achievement Dr. Mariñas did thus far is his unchanged demeanor as a town doctor, humility and unassuming character; one who never gets intoxicated by power. This is the first time I experienced that development can come in meaningful fashion from conscientious and accountable men than from domineering and powerful political leaders.

Delia Guzman

Barili, Cebu