Suspended Cebu Gov Gwen Garcia CDN PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – She may have been suspended but Gwen Garcia is bent on delivering Cebu votes for the senatorial candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance on May 13.
“We (UNA) have the most number of mayors, the most number of local government units, and the most number of incumbent officials and we remain strong to this day,” Garcia said in a statement.
At the coalition’s proclamation rally at the Plaza Independencia, Garcia vowed to deliver votes from vote-rich Cebu for UNA’s senatorial bets.
UNA started its campaign with a morning Mass at the Cebu Cathedral, followed by a city-wide motorcade before converging at the plaza for the proclamation rally.
Vice President Jejomar Binay, former President Joseph Estrada, and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile endorsed their senatorial candidates Nancy Binay, former Tarlac Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco, San Juan Representative Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Cagayan Representative Jack Enrile, Zambales Representative Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay former senators Richard Gordon, Gregorio Honasan, Ernesto Maceda, and Juan Miguel Zubiri.
Not elitist
The Vice President said that they chose to hold their proclamation rally in Cebu to show that they are not “elitist” unlike the Liberal Party.
“Basta’t kasi sabi nitong si (Cebu City) Mayor (Michael) Rama eh kasi mahihirapan sila makakuha ng maraming dadalo kaya dun na lang muna sila sa Plaza Miranda (Mayor Rama said they [Liberal Party] will have a hard time drawing crowds here that’s why they chose Plaza Miranda),” he said.
This was echoed by UNA secretary general and Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco who said holding their proclamation rally would destroy the notion that they are a highbrow coalition.
“The coalition does not choose the places they visit because as long as it is part of the Philippines and the people need to be made aware of the platforms of government and reform agenda of Team UNA, we will be there,” he said.
New kind of politics
Tiangco said that the coalition would take its cue from Binay who urged them to refrain from personal attacks during the campaign period.
The LP and UNA have been butting heads over many issues even before the campaign period began, from hairdo dares, the supposedly offensive “black and white” remark, and the dispute on UNA’s real stand as “constructive opposition.”
“As much as possible, we shall refrain from throwing dirt against our political opposition, no personal attacks or insults whatsoever,” promised the UNA official.
“Even though LP has been accusing UNA bets of being pretenders, they should first look at themselves. When PNoy assumed his post in 2010, were it not some of them who were already hot on the collar in criticizing him and his actions left and right? UNA does not merely talk to throw dirt but to constructively criticize for the good of the Philippines and the Filipino people,” he said.