City Hall impresses Gwen

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said she was impressed by the improvements of the Cebu City Hall since her last visit five years ago.

Garcia was there yesterday for the 7th Partnership Forum for Tuberculosis, Malaria and AIDS forum held at the Cebu City Social Hall.

“I am honored to be with you this afternoon. For me this is the first time that I have been given the opportunity to see this beautiful building, a building that I must say is especially meaningful to our present mayor,” Garcia said during her speech.

After the event, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama personally gave Garcia a tour of the Evangelina Macaraeg-Macapagal hall and caucus room.

“Well done Mayor Mike!” Garcia said as she compared the new City Hall —now with chandeliers, paintings and furniture— to the “dark” City Hall she remembered in her last visit.

She also complimented Rama for effectively coordinating with the private sector for supporting the improvement, describing it as proof of Rama’s exceptional leadership.

Before Garcia left City Hall, she was escorted by Rama to the Mayor’s Office where Garcia was applauded by the staff.

“I was here before although at the time lahi ang color ato mora’g gray to karon nindot na kaayo, karon you have a light feeling when you come in mora’g everyone’s smiling also gipanguluhan sa ato’ng smiling mayor,” she said.

Rama gave Garcia a box of imported chocolates as a parting gift.

“It is always good to have a good working relationship between the province and the city,” Garcia said.

When a reporter asked if this was a sign of an impending political alliance between the two, Rama said he had no ulterior motives. 

“Trabaho lang oi... ang pinaka-importante ang katawhan,” he said.

Because of sour political relations between her and former mayor and current Cebu South District Rep. Tommy Osmeña, Garcia has not had the chance to visit City Hall recently.

Meanwhile, when Osmeña was asked for his reaction to the visit of Garcia to his former office, he simply said “who cares?” — (FREEMAN)