After nearly 20 years, a Martinez endorses a Garcia

CEBU, Philippines —  Have the Garcias and Martinezes decided to forget their bitter past as political rivals?

This seems to be the case after Bogo City Mayor Carlo Jose Martinez recently endorsed the reelection bid of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

The endorsement happened during the groundbreaking of six provincial road sections worth P237.8 million in different barangays in Bogo City Tuesday, which Martinez said have been left unattended by the previous administration.

Garcia led the groundbreaking ceremonies of the 2.8-kilometer road section in Cayang worth P42.9 million, the 500-meter Marangog to Cayaan road worth P8.9 million, the 3.2-kilometer Banban to Malingin road worth P49.5 million, the 4.2-kilometer Bogo-Libertad-Odlot road section worth P29.5 million, the three-kilometer Cayaan to Dakit road worth P57 million and the three-kilometer Anonang Norte road worth P50 million.

All these projects shall be undertaken by Rovilla Construction owned by Engr. Romeo Villaceran who is also running for mayor in Madridejos town in Bantayan Island under Garcia-led One Cebu Party.

Martinez expressed that Bogo City is blessed to have Garcia, the first governor to visit these provincial roads.

In his speech, Martinez said Garcia deserves gratitude in exchange for bringing projects to the city.

Martinez asked the audience composed of the barangay officials, tanods, barangay health workers, and some residents whom to support in the coming elections and they yelled, “Gov. Gwen.”

“Makahangyo ko ninyo niana? Ato tabangan ha si Gov. Gwen Garcia, ato ibalik sa Province of Cebu,” Martinez said, adding that he was officially endorsing her.

Martinez repeated the same endorsement during his speeches in at least five barangays as venues of the groundbreaking ceremonies.

After the first groundbreaking in Cayang Road, Martinez, together with other city councilors, department heads and employees, and all the barangay captains welcomed Garcia at the City Hall.

HISTORY

In her speech, Garcia recalled how close his father, the later former governor Pablo “Pabling” Garcia, was with Martinez’s father, former mayor and congressman Celestino “Junie” Martinez.

Junie was the runningmate of Pabling in 2001 elections but he lost to former vice governor John Henry Gregory Osmeña.

The Garcias and the Martinezes parted ways in 2004 elections when Junie ran for governor but lost to Gwen who succeeded his father.

From 2013 to 2019, the Capitol was under the helm of now Vice Governor Hilario Davide III, an ally of the Martinezes.

In the 2019 elections, Davide did not seek his third and last term as governor when Gwen ran again for the top Capitol post.

Instead, then Vice Governor Agnes Magpale ran for governor with Davide as her runningmate. Gwen lost in Bogo City by a margin of 8,456 votes. Magpale got 22,519 votes while Garcia got 14,063 votes.

In the May 9, 2022 elections, Garcia will be challenged by Magapale’s nephew, Ace.

Garcia said she gives projects regardless of political color but she is hoping next election she will win in Bogo.

Some of the barangay captains were receptive to Mayor Martinez’ call to support Garcia.

“Akong tumbasan ang ako pagpasalamat diha kanimo (Gwen) karong umaabot Mayo tuig 2022,” said Dakit barangay captain Elly Tolingin.

Banban barangay captain Allan Araneta also thanked Garcia, saying she is the only governor who materialized their dream to have a concrete road. — JMD (FREEMAN)