Group to launch signature drive urging Cebu governor to run for senator

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

CEBU CITY – Saying they want to put on record the sentiments of Cebuanos, a multi-sectoral group will launch a signature campaign to convince Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to run for senator in the 2022 elections.

Edward Ligas, the convenor of Hiniusang Sugboanon, said their campaign, which aims to gather one million signatures, will start next week.

“There is a need for a Cebuano in the Senate and only Garcia is qualified,” he said.

Ligas dismissed insinuations that their move was intended to put Garcia down or to make money out of it.

Garcia has repeatedly declined to heed the group’s call, saying she is not interested in any national position and that she will instead seek reelection in the next elections.

“I am not running for senator. Repeat, I am not running for senator. In other words, I am running for governor again. Repeat, I am running for governor again,” she said.

“I thought I had made myself clear that I am not interested in any national position. Please don’t waste your money because nothing will happen in what you are doing,” she added.

Ligas, however, remained undaunted.

While it is a “great challenge” to convince Garcia to run for senator, Ligas said they will not be discouraged until the filing of certificates of candidacy in October.

“We remain hopeful that the governor will change her mind before the filing of certificates of candidacy on Oct. 1 to 8, 2021,” he said.

Ligas said those who want to donate and support their plan to let Garcia run as senator should not give cash but may only contribute tarpaulins.

“We are really not trying to deceive the governor. She’s too smart to be deceived,” he said.

If Garcia runs for senator, Ligas said the governor may be replaced by either Rep. Pablo John Garcia of Cebu’s third district or Liloan Mayor Christina Garcia-Frasco.

Pablo John is the governor’s younger brother while Frasco is her daughter.

Pablo John earlier described the move to let Garcia run for senator as “suspicious,” saying it might be a political move by opponents to remove her sister from the gubernatorial race in 2022.

“I think if there are people who want Gwen to run for senator at this time, that would only be her opponents. So I’m sorry, I don’t know this group but I am deeply suspicious of groups like this that suddenly came out of nowhere now that the election is drawing near,” Pablo John said.

He likened the group’s motives to one of Aesop’s fables where a song bird dropped a fruit from her mouth when the fox flattered her by saying her voice was so good. The fox then picked up the fallen fruit.

“They wanted to flatter the governor but what they wanted really was for the Office of the Governor to fall into their hands,” Pablo John said.

JPV