Gwen picks Benhur’s daughter for vice governor

CEBU, Philippines — A 45-year-old businesswoman who belongs to a political family from the fourth district of Cebu has agreed to be the runningmate of third district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia, ending the latter’s search for her vice governor in the upcoming 2019 midterm elections. 

Marie Daphne Salimbangon, daughter of fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, confirmed to The Freeman yesterday that she is running for vice governor. She will file her certificate of candidacy after the official announcement of the Garcia-Salimbangon tandem today.

"Yes, I will run for vice governor,” Daphne said.

Daphne, a mother of three, said she could not say no to Garcia, whom she described as like a mother to her and a family member. She said the decision was made Monday afternoon after a series of meetings with Garcia.

"Actually naka decide na gyud ko modagan as vice governor pag Lunes sa udto bisan si (Vice Governor Agnes) Magpale or (Governor Hilario) Davide pa ang modagan as vice governor," said Daphne said.

She admitted that she is running scared because she will be up against an incumbent governor. Davide yesterday filed his COC for vice governor yielding the governorship to incumbent Magpale.

Daphne said her decision to run is a sacrifice on her part because she had to postpone her scheduled wedding in November until after the elections. She, however, said that her partner for 22 years has been very supportive of her political career.

"Mao lage, I have to postpone my own wedding. After election na lang. Win or lose madayon gyud ang kasal. My partner anyway is very supportive of my political career," she added.

She may not have been elected into public office yet, but Daphne was not new to politics. Aside from being the daughter of an incumbent congressman, she already ran for public office in 2013 but lost in the mayoralty race in Bogo City to former mayor Celestino Martinez Jr.

She also ran for councilor in the same city in 2016 but still did not make it.

"But who knows this time, I will make it. Sincere public service runs in our blood. My father's brand of leadership and service in the fourth district, I will spread that to the entire province, if given a chance to serve the larger Cebuano community," she said.

The position to be Garcia’s runningmate was first offered to her father but the latter declined because he had to concentrate in helping his wife who is also running for congress. Benhur is on his last term and is fielding his wife, Janice. — FPL (FREEMAN)