Gwen aims to fill up Bisaya lack in Senate

TAGBILARAN CITY , Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, in her recent visit to Bohol and its capital city, met with a number of public officials and rallied them for an effective representation of the Bisaya-speaking population to the Senate.

Gwen said the Bisaya-speaking population lacks representation in the Senate, even if 55 percent of the national population consists of Bisaya-speaking Filipinos in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Gwen told the Boholanos she would be the right representative, being a genuine Bisaya having grown up in Cebu, unlike other politicians who claimed to be Bisaya but actually grew up in Manila.

At least 46 percent of the voting population are Bisaya-speaking, she said. “If we can only consolidate this, there is a big possibility that the unity of the Bisaya population can send a Bisaya senator,” said the governor.

“Visayas and Mindanao has a voting population of 22 million. For a candidate to land at no. 11 or no. 12, he or she needs 11 million to 13 million votes. Indeed, the Bisaya votes from Visayas and Mindanao can already make a senator,” said Gwen.

Besides the bailiwick factor, Gwen said her accomplishments in Cebu can assure the Filipino people of a good performing senator.

The Cebu governor started touching base in the barangays and towns of Bohol during her visit last week by talking to UNA allies and even Liberal Party members among the local officials who had worked with her in the past when she still chairperson of the Regional Development Council prior to Bohol Gov. Edgar Chatto.

Gwen also met with Bohol Vice Gov. Concepcion Lim, the Provincial Board members. In her first stopover outside of Tagbilaran, her meeting was hosted by Baclayon town Mayor Alvin Uy.

She explained that though she has been in good terms with Chatto, who is now with the LP, her 2013 senatorial plans, being a PDP member, will be with UNA coalition of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Gwen said her campaign slogan would be “ONE Gwen,” which means Obra Negosyo Eskwela (ONE) that “kung nagawa natin ito sa Cebu, GWEN (gawin) natin ito sa Senado.” This message shall be spread nationwide, reciting the success stories of Cebu province under her administration, she said.