Next move for Garcias, One Cebu?
FATHER, son and daughter met with their mayor allies of One Cebu party to discuss the impact of the May 13 elections on the Garcias and their political group.
The closed-door lunch in Ching Palace restaurant in Lahug, Cebu City was attended by Gov. Gwen Garcia who is party president, Rep. Pablo John Garcia who is the secretary general and their father Deputy House Speaker Pablo Garcia.
“No comment,” said Deputy Speaker Garcia to reporters afterward.
One Cebu has a majority of the 50 city and town mayors of Cebu province but the gubernatorial election showed Liberal Party candidate Hilario Davide III winning with a margin of over 150,000 votes.
Pablo John said he received reports about election problems with compact flash cards and other discrepancies but declined to give details. He said his adviser former Comelec commissioner Gregorio Larazabal was arriving on Saturday to discuss it.
“I am very careful about issuing any statement at this time about the conduct of the elections. I want to be sure more than anything else to keep the people’s faith in the electoral process,” he said.
Pabling Garcia lost his reelection bid as 2nd district congressman. Son Barili Vice Mayor Marlon Garcia who lost to re-elected Mayor Teresito Marinas left the venue earlier.
Among those at the meeting were Carcar City Mayor Nicepuro Apura, Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong, Sibonga Mayor Lionel Bacaltos, Madridejos Mayor Salvador dela Fuente, Danao City Mayor Boy Durano Jr., Sogod Vice Mayor Nick Bacayo, Alcoy Mayor Nicomedes delos Santos, Tabuelan Mayor Rex Gerona, Daanbantayan Mayor Malou Loot, Alegria Mayor Amelita Guisadio, Aloguinsan Mayor Augustos Moreno, Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia, Barili Vice Mayor Marlon Garcia, Minglanilla Vice Mayor Lani Pena, Toledo City Mayor Aurelio Espinosa and Vice Mayor Daydee Zambo.
Cary Kintanar, Daphne Lagon, Richie Wagas and Glen Baricuatro were also there. /Correspondent Carmel Lois Matus