Gwen for Cebu governor in 2019?

CEBU, Philippines — The name of former Cebu governor and now 3rd District Representative Gwendolyn Garcia is being floated to run for the gubernatorial post in 2019.

This is according to incumbent Provincial Board members who have departed from the Liberal Party to join Friday’s mass oath taking under the ruling Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) of President Duterte.

“Ang akong nadunggan, si Mam Gwen. Pero nagkaistorya man mi ni Mam Gwen. Dili gyud kuno siya but tan-aw nako depende sa pugos. Unya, murag si Salimbangon (ang vice).” PB Member Yolanda Daan, who represents the 1st District, told reporters on the sidelines of the oath taking rites.

It was Daan’s response when the media asked her to confirm rumors that Garcia would run with Danao City’s Red Durano for the governorship and vice governorship, respectively, in 2019. 

“Wala ko nakadungog nga si Red Durano ang pares ni Gwen,” Daan said.

The FREEMAN tried to reach Garcia and Benhur Salimbangon for their comment but received no reply from their end as of this writing.

Meanwhile, before committing to the PDP-Laban, some PB members formerly affiliated with the LP said they would continue supporting Cebu LP head and Governor Hilario Davide III.

However, these officials appear to be singing a different tune now that they have officially taken oath with the ruling party, clarifying it’s not the governor per se that they will support but the programs and projects of the provincial administration.

This apparently runs counter to Davide’s earlier pronouncement that he was not alarmed half of the PB is now part of a different political party since PB members supposedly promised to continue to support him even if they would change flags.

“(We will support the) programs and projects basta tan-aw namo maayo, mosuporta gyud,” PB Member Glenn Bercede, who represents 6th District, told The FREEMAN after  the oath taking rites.

Daan shared the same sentiments with Bercede and pointed out that it is an entirely another story whether or not those who shifted alliances like her would still support Davide if he would run for re-election in 2019.

The board members said their choice on who to support for governor in May 2019 will depend on which candidate will be nominated by their new party.

“Mao nay gipagaingon nga remains to be seen pero tungod kay PDP na man ko, kamo nalay sabot,” said Bercede.

Aside from Daan and Bercede, PB Members Edsel Galeos and Tata Salvador of the 2nd District likewise pledged allegiance to PDP-Laban last Friday.

PB Member Sun Shimura said that those who joined PDP-Laban like him will continue to support Capitol projects but will take extra measures to still scrutinize them.

He cited the controversial purchase of the multi-million heavy equipment as “a concrete example” of a project which is worth-looking into. He clarified that this measure is not due to political colors but an effort to continue to uphold the general welfare of the public. (FREEMAN)