President Carlos Polistico Garcia’s campaign days in Bohol - Part 2

President Garcia is the only elected president who came from Central Visayas. He succeeded President Ramon Magsaysay who died in a plane crash in the mountains of Balamban, Cebu, on March 17, 1957. Garcia ran for election as president on November 12, 1957, winning and defeating Jose Yulo (LP), Manuel Manahan (Progressive Party), Claro M. Recto (Nationalist Citizens Party), and Antonio Quirino (Qurino Wing, LP). On November 10, 1959, the senatorial election was held, majority of the allies of Garcia won. This is the official narration of the events that happened on his campaign in Bohol accompanied by his Cebuana wife, Leonila Dimataga:

“President Garcia will spend his 63rd birthday on Wednesday, November 4, at Malacañang.

“The President and the First Lady will be “at home” to receive well-wishers from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

“In order that the President and the First Lady may be able to receive all those who may wish to call on them in Malacañang, a schedule of visits has been arranged by Manuel G. Zamora, Malacañang protocol officer.

“November 2.—PRESIDENT Garcia today took time out from his inspection tour of the southern provinces and visited his hometown, Talibon, to pay homage to his departed parents on the occasion of All Souls Day.

“Accompanied by Mrs. Garcia, the President spent a few minutes at the local cemetery and offered prayers before the grave of his beloved forebears.

“Wherever he was and whenever he could, the President always made it a point to come back to his hometown at least once a year “to spend a few moments to honor the memory of his dear predecessors.”

“His father was Policronio Garcia while his mother was Ambrosia Polistico, both interred in a common grave at the local cemetery. Among the relatives present at the cemetery rites were Primitiva Garcia, the President’s elder sister, Rep. Maximo Garcia, Agapito Garcia, Emilio Garcia, and Talibon Mayor Lazaro Evardo, all cousins of the President.

“The President and the First Lady arrived in Talibon about 8 a.m. today following a 100-kilometer motor ride from Tagbilaran. The townspeople turned out en masse, lined along the streets, and followed the President’s party wherever they went, in rousing welcome to their favorite son.

“The presidential party proceeded direct to the town church where a Te Deum was sung by the parish priest. After mass the President and members of the party had breakfast at the house of Inocencio Obenza, town’s chief of police, where he briefly conferred with local officials. The President awaited a slight drizzle to subside before motoring to the nearby cemetery. The party took lunch also at the police chief’s home after the simple rites at the cemetery.” (To be continued)