Let mayor pursue peace moves, Magpale says

Any moves by Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia to reach out to the incoming Davide administration at the Capitol would be appreciated, acting Cebu Gov. Agnes Magpale said.

“It’s always the responsibility of the municipal officials to reach out to the new officials,” Magpale said days after Garcia managed to secure from the Dumanjug municipal council a resolution lifting the persona non grata declaration on her.

Aside from Magpale, Provincial Board (PB) Member Arleigh Sitoy was also included as persona non grata by the Dumanjug municipal government.

But Magpale said she focused on reaching out to Dumanjug residents personally.

“I have explained my refusal to release the P55 million trust fund of the Capitol intended for Dumanjug ),” she said.

Magpale said she was hurt after the younger Garcia accused her of maligning his sister, suspended Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

Magpale also said she experienced the cold shoulder treatment from officials identified with the One Cebu party of the Garcias during her campaign with incoming Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III.

“Many times we were snubbed but that won’t discourage me nor my allies from visiting the towns,” the acting governor said.

For now, Magpale said she will continue until Governor Garcia re-assumes her post on June 19.

“Though I was hurt by what the mayor said against me, I will continue showing the people that I am the acting governor),” Magpale said.

Mayor Garcia narrowly won re-election while sister Gwen won Cebu’s third congressional district by a small margin.

She succeeds younger brother and outgoing Rep. Pablo John Garcia, who lost his gubernatorial bid to Davide.

Dumanjug is the home town of the Garcias in Cebu’s 2nd district.

Mayor Garcia earlier denounced Magpale and Sitoy for “maligning” his sister, whom he credited for bringing development to the municipality.

He then declared Magpale and Sitoy persona non grata and said it will only be lifted if the two officials issued a public apology to the governor.

But with Davide and Magpale’s victories, Mayor Garcia chose instead to lift the declaration.

In lifting the resolution, Mayor Garcia said it’s time for rival politicians to forget the elections and work for Cebu’s development.