A different Suroy Suroy

Last week’s  Suroy Suroy sa Sugbo in south Cebu has been praised by many tourists for being an improved version of the countryside tour  led by  suspended governor Gwen Garcia.

Particpants of the Southern Getaway appreciated how the  activity genuinely promotes the participating towns. There were  no more long speeches focused on one person or the  usual formal welcome from municipal mayors.

The recent tour focused on  the destinations, what the towns  offered in terms of  relaxation, nature and its  heritage instead of on one person who likes the attention  of the crowd and the photographers.

Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale joined the Suroy Suroy  but was basically there like a guide and remained low-key.  Apparently she’s  trying to distance  herself from the practices of the  governor.

The Magpale administration through Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy shut down Sugbo TV saying it was not a cable  TV program of the province but more of a promotional program for Garcia with the towns’ participation being incidental.

They also  observed that Sugbo TV was covering the  sorties of Garcia with her brother Congressman Pablo John in distributing cash assistance to the towns.

Now SugboTV and its newsletter will be  under the Public Information Office. Magpale is definitely functioning as a governor and I believe she is doing a pretty good job while Garcia  is stuck inside her office at the Capitol.

Up to when? Nobody knows. Magpale says she doesn’t want to be distracted by Gwen’s presence at the Capitol.

Now that Gwen plans  to resume  her sorties in the province, the question being asked is: Will Garcia  be allowed to return to her office when she steps out of the Capitol?

Some are egging Magpale to strictly enforce the suspension order  because she has already bent backward several times.

The office is owned by the people and not a private chamber owned by the suspended governor.  We haven’t gotten a reply yet on this from Magpale who is very deliberate and careful in deciding on this matter.

Let’s just wait. Garcia’s daughter  Christine Codilla-Frasco has already warned Magpale that she faces  legal consequences if  she bars  her mother from returning to the Capitol.

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Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile is a very astute and shrewd politician. When he was confronted about  how he runs the Senate,  he told his colleagues he would like to step down.

A resignation  was voted down by Enrile’s colleagues, many of whom received his P1.6 million cash gift last Christmas.

Enrile  knows his politics. He knew that gift recipients would not let him step down as easy as that.

President Benigno Aquino III has called on the senators to stop their personal squabbles and buckle down to work because there are many things to do to sustain the economic progress of our country.

It  is hoped that the senators put an end to their bickering because the public gets nothing from the infighting.