Gwen to consider clamor of mayors to ‘stay’ in Cebu

CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said she is “considering” the clamor of some mayors for her to give up her Senate bid and run for elective office in Cebu.

“Since I started as governor, you know that I was always with the towns. The mayors have been my partners in our efforts in pushing for Cebu’s growth and development,” she said in Alcoy town after oath-taking rites for her One Cebu party.

She was still meeting with 3rd district mayors of One Cebu in a closed-door session at Marco Polo Plaza last night.

The scene echoed a similar consultation in April in the same hotel after lengthy speculation that she was preparing for a Senate bid with her frequent trips outside Cebu.

She listened to mayors stand up and prod her to run for the Senate. “You know that it is very striking that not one of you has suggested that I run for any other position,” she said at that time.

Yesterday, public statements from her camp reinforced a new direction.

In a separate interview, Rep. Pablo John Garcia said mayors in Cebu’s 2nd and 3rd district like Asturias Mayor Allan Adlawan and Toledo City Mayor Aurelio Espinosa are appealing to Gwen to stay in Cebu.

Asked if a manifesto would be issued for this, Pablo John said he didn’t want to preempt anything.

“I think that even without the manifesto, the sentiments is being heard by the governor loud and clear,” he said.

Dalaguete town Mayor Ronald Allan Sesante told reporters the governor got the message.

“She already knows it and she told us: ‘I will weigh it. All things will be considered.’ We will wait for her. Whatever her decision, we will support her,” Sesante said.

In the visits to Alcoy and Dalaguete yesterday, Governor Garcia was accompanied by Pablo John, father Rep. Pablo Garcia and Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV.

Mayor Sesante, in his speech, said Dalaguete town is a “One Cebu country” and pledged support for the Garcias in the 2013 election.

About 2,000 residents filled the Dalaguete Sports Complex. Dalaguete and Alcoy towns received a total of P7 million in assistance from the Capitol.