CEBU, Philippines — Convenors of the ‘Gwen for Senator Movement’ in Cebu are not giving up on their campaign for Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to run for Senate in 2022 despite Garcia saying earlier she does not have plans of running for a national post.
One of the group’s convenors, Edward Ligas, said encouraging Garcia “is great challenge” but they will reportedly not be discouraged until the filing of certificates of candidacy in October will lapse.
Ligas said they are set to launch a signature campaign this week to gather 1 million signatures. The signature campaign would put on record the support that thousands of Cebuanos have reportedly expressed for the cause.
In a statement, the group said many have been asking how they can help the movement.
They said Garcia’s brother, current Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia, or her daughter, current Liloan Mayor Christina Garcia, are fit to take over as governor.
“Bisan si kinsa ang ituboy ni Gwen pagka-gobernador, mao na ang suportahan namo,” Ligas said.
Sought for comment, Pablo John said he has no plans of running for governor.
“Di man modagan si Gwen og senador, di pud gyud ko modagan og governor, so mas maayo tingali ilang hunahunaon naa pa bay hinungdan ang ilang grupo ug ang gasto sa nagpaluyo nila, kay kung magpadayon pa sila, lahi na gyud na ang ilang tuyo,” he said.
“Di ko sayon ulog-ulogan modagan og governor kay napildi na ko sa una,” he added.
He ran in 2013 and lost to former governor Hilario Davide III.
For her part, Frasco said, "Salamat sa pagtuo pero akong focus kay ang pagpadayon sa paglambo sa Liloan padulong sa iyang pagkadakbayan puhon."
Another convenor of the movement, Neil Papas, said, “As a great leader, Governor Garcia molded and created more leaders to increase the capacity of Cebu Province to grow and to raise its resilience and agility,” said Papas, a professional boxing judge.
No Running
Yet again, Garcia said she will seek reelection as governor next year.
“Wa ko masayod nganong nigasto pa man tawon ni sila paghimo og tarpaulin kay nag-abot-abot na sa norte ug sa sur… dako-dako na tawon na gastoha… ayaw intawon usik-usiki ang inyong kwarta kay wa gyud mahitabo sa inyong tinguha,” Garcia said on May 25.
She also reiterated that she is not running for senator.
“I am not running for senator. In other words, I am running for governor again. I thought I had made myself clear that I am not interested in any national position. Unsaon pa man na nako og sulti nga motoo mo? Niingon na’ko lisod biyaan ang Cebu niining panahona, hilabina kay ang pandemya nakaguba sa atong ekonomiya; pun-an nga dunay ubang polisiya nga mosamot og hatag og kalisod ug pag-antos sa atong katawhan… kinsa man ang mobarog para sa Sugbo ug sa mga Sugboanon?” she said. — Le Phyllis F Antojado, JMO (FREEMAN)