A day after reports that some Cebu mayors want her to “stay” in Cebu and not run for the Senate, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia went about her work in the Capitol saying little about her plans.
She said “hi” to reporters, smiled but did not entertain interviews about the matter.
No denials were issued to squelch speculation that Garcia was giving up her dream of being the first female Cebu senator.
A trip scheduled today to Alcoy and Dalaguete towns, whose mayors are vocal about asking the governor to “stay home” and run for a congressional seat instead, may be the occasion to clear the air.
She arrived yesterday from a two-day trip to Manila and the Bicol region, part of stepped up exposure for a national campaign.
Rep. Tomas Osmeña the other day said he heard the governor got “cold feet” about a Senate campaign.
His sources said a party member was approached and was asked to give way to Gwen’s running in Cebu’s 3rd district, where she recently transferred her voter’s registration.
Rep. Pablo John Garcia, her brother, told reporters yesterday Gwen was already briefed about the sentiments of some ally mayors in the administration One Cebu party.
He said his sister’s presence in the province “will always strengthen the party.”
“Their sentiments have reached the party leadership…. The leader of the party is the governor,” he said.
“She can focus on Cebu.”
Governor Garcia had meetings yesterday with Capitol media consultant Sam Costanilla, and later a closed-door meeting with Samboan town officials.
She saw reporters waiting for her at the entrance of the hallway of her office, said “hi”, smiled then walked back into her office.
Samboan officials led by Vice Mayor Rogelio Capa said they told the governor about their plan to run against Mayor Raymond Calderon, whose brother Provincial Board Member Peter John Calderon recently left One Cebu to take his oath as a member of the Liberal Party.
Capa has he has chose Zenaida “Aida” Quijano as his running mate.
Capa asked Governor Garcia to hold an oath taking of One Cebu party officials after the filing of certificates of candidacy next month.
Among the mayors who want Governor Garcia to seek an elective position in Cebu are Ronald Sesante of Dalaguete, Inocentes Cabaron of Moalboal and Nick Delos Santos of Alcoy.
SITOY’s EXIT
Meanwhile, Pablo John said the exit of Cordova town Mayor Adelino Sitoy did not surprise their party.
“Expected na ‘to… iyang mga lakang for the past weeks, awkward kaayo (It was expected… his moves in the past weeks were awkward),” he said.
“Good luck to him. We wish him well. I hope that his new party will take care of him as well as One Cebu took care of him and the municipality of Cordova all these year,” he added.
Sitoy announced he would join the Liberal Party and run as Cordova vice mayor or running mate of his granddaughter. Leighna Katrina Sitoy- Abarquez. /Correspondent Carmelo Loise Matus