Gwen shakes Greg's hand, but gives vice governor a 'piercing glare'

CEBU, Philippines – Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez shook hands during the thanksgiving mass at the Capitol yesterday in line with the 441st founding anniversary of the provincial government.

But the gesture may not be taken as a sign of reconciliation, but merely an act of courtesy. Garcia and Sanchez have not been in good terms starting the time when Sanchez bolted out of the One Cebu Party shortly before the May elections.

In an interview with reporters after the mass, Garcia herself said she approached Sanchez and shook the hand of the vice governor for courtesy.

Sanchez said Garcia glared at him while shaking his hand, something that the governor did not deny.

"I attended the mass despite of non-appearance of my name in the program's list and aside from that, gi-shake hands ko ni Governor Garcia during the peace be with you, but iya kong gisigaan og mata… tingali naa pa gyud na siya'y kasuko nako", Sanchez said.

Garcia, for her part, said, "Yes, akong gisiga-an og mata si Sanchez kay akong gisuta if gisigaan ba sad ko niya og mata unya di man sad ko ka kita sa iyang mata kay naka dark glasses man siya, mao to."

Sanchez said he does not mind if Garcia remains mad at him, saying, "trabaho lang walang personalan." He said he only wanted to sit at the back portion of the social hall yesterday, but he was reportedly pulled to sit in front.

Yesterday's mass was celebrated by Father Roberto Alesna.

The mass was also attended by the 14 members of the Provincial Board, the governor's parents 2nd District Representative and Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia and wife Esperanza Garcia, and the governor's brothers 3rd District Representative Pablo John Garcia and Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia.

Garcia said she is happy with the attendance of Capitol officials in the celebration of the province's anniversary. She said that except for Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Bea Calderon, the provincial government was in full force.

Explaining the theme for this year's founding anniversary, "Balik tan-aw sa talagsa-ong liderato," Garcia said the same would allow the present officials and employees of Capitol to look back and reflect on the accomplishments of the previous leaders of the province.

Sanchez, however, commented the theme is still "personality oriented."

"Obviously the theme is referring to Garcia…instead of addressing to the problems of the Province of Cebu and to give the people a hope and to offer a job to the Cebuanos, she tend to address the theme based on her personality," he said.

"I don't want to hurt anybody…it's just what I perceive of the theme", Sanchez said. (THE FREEMAN)