President Quezon’s speech at the Cebu Provincial Capitol’s inauguration (Part 3)

(Note from CEBUpedia: The Governor at that time was Buenaventura Rodriguez, but it was Governor Sotero Barte Cabahug’s administration that built the building. The speech of Quezon will give the reader an insight of the political atmosphere not only of Cebu but the entire country as he also spoke of religious instruction and social justice.)

“It may be that he has been at times a leader more of the Province of Cebu than of the Philippines. But if he has been so, certainly the Cebuanos should not be the ones to criticize him for that. I want to say to you that I have been in public office as long as Vice-President Osmeña. As President of the Philippine Senate, I wielded a very great influence in the Government. But I invite you all to come and visit Tayabas and to compare it with Cebu. Well, I am not implying that Vice-President Osmeña has done better than I, nor the reverse. I am only asserting that Vice-President Osmeña will be recognized by posterity as the great builder of Cebu. [Applause]

I will not speak to you of his achievements as one of the greatest leaders of our people, because I have not come to campaign for his candidacy as my successor. Besides, I still have friends in Cebu who want me to be reelected in spite of the provisions of the Constitution to the contrary. I have only referred to what Vice-President Osmeña has done for Cebu, because it is fitting to make that statement on this occasion.

I congratulate Governor Cabahug for having built this capitol. I congratulate him and the members of his Board. I also congratulate Governor Rodriguez because he is going to be the beneficiary of what Governor Cabahug has done. [Applause]

But above all, I congratulate from the bottom of my heart the people of Cebu. I congratulate you, because you are worthily represented in the Executive Department by two secretaries who occupy the most important portfolios in the Government. The two most important activities of the Government—education and health on the one hand, and public works and communications on the other—are in the hands of two Cebuanos: the Vice-President, who is the Secretary of Public Instruction, and ex-Governor Cuenco who is Secretary of Public Works and Communications. You should be proud of Secretary Cuenco. He is a man of honesty and integrity, a man with a courage and conviction that do honor to him and to this province. In the National Assembly, no province is represented by more influential, more patriotic, and more devoted representatives other than Cebu.

I said before that I did not come to advocate the candidacy of Vice-President Osmeña as my successor, but I must tell you now that I have come to advocate the candidacy of your representatives. And I am recommending alike the reelection of those who were formerly Pros and Antis. [Applause] You should not have any political fight this coming election. You must go ahead and elect them. If, however, the Frente Popular presents its candidates, then fight the Frente Popular. [Applause]” (To be continued)