UNA leaders attend Sinulog, visit Gwen

THE “three kings” of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance were in  Cebu again yesterday during the Sinulog to visit their ally suspended Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, nearly a month since their last visit.

They wished her well before she stepped out to join the Liloan municipal contingent  in the Sinulog and watched her perform later in the evening.

Vice President Jejomar Binay said he repeated his  advice to Garcia to continue her stay-in protest and seek legal relief to reverse the six-month suspension order against her.

“Governor Gwen should stay at the Capitol,”  he said in a press conference.

In case the Court of Appeals denies Garcia’s plea for a temporary restraining order (TRO), Binay said “there are still other remedies to follow.”  He said Cebuanos would support  support Garcia’s bid run for a congressional seat  in the 3rd district.

“Ang mga Pilipino kampi sa mga naaapi (Filipinos always side with the oppressed),” he said.

Binay said he made it a point to attend Cebu’s biggest festival.

“I made a promise to come back here. We’re here to be part of the celebration,” he said.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said “I’m here as a friend” of Garcia, calling his presence “a matter of charity, humanity and friendship.”

Former senator  Richard Gordon said he considers Garcia  one of the country’s great leaders.

“I admire her. She was doing very well. We can’t lose  a Gwen Garcia to politics. The weakness of some government officials lead them to remove a strong leader,” he said.

Former senator nd Ernesto Maceda said the group didn’t  visit Cebu to campaign for support but to support an ally. Garcia said she was grateful for the support of UNA officials.

“It made me realize that I had chosen the right friends. They told me to hold my ground. That’s why I’m still here,” she said. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol