Don't ever mess with Governor Gwen

The leadership of Governor Gwen Garcia has achieved an unprecedented record in showing to the whole nation that, despite all past fragmentation and divisiveness, today the whole island of Cebu, all the seven congressional districts, chartered cities, component cities, and all the municipalities are one. All the Cebu representatives are united in support of the governor. All the past challengers have fallen like logs from Mount Manunggal.

No other governor has achieved such a feat, not even her own father, the late governor Pabling Garcia, or the legendary Serging Osmeña Jr. Not even Don Sergio Osmeña Sr., could bring all the political leaders together. Cebuanos are very difficult to unite. We are independent-minded. Every politician is motivated by a narrow and partisan agenda. There has been no strong and credible personality who conquered them all, except Gwen. If we look back on Cebu history, our politics has always been divided. In the early days, it was between the Osmeñistas versus the Cuencistas. Then it was between Serging and the group of Ramon Durano Sr.

Gwen is Wonder Woman, Superwoman, Princess Urduja, and Gabriela Silang all rolled into one. She united Cebu not by persuasion or appeal. She did it by good performance, strong control, and influence over all mayors. She did it by defeating all her political enemies and showing Malacañang she’s the only one who can do it. And Malacañang should never mess with her or her daughter. Governor Gwen is very difficult to conquer because she has the brains, intellect, strong will, and courage. She’s hardworking, forward-looking, and is never afraid of anyone, not even the president. And she knows the strengths, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities of her enemies. She knows human psychology, she masters the culture and behavior patterns of Cebuanos from the elite to the hoi polloi.

That’s why even her political opponents just keep silent and grudgingly support her programs. She is the womanification of Sun Tzu. In the last elections for governor, she defeated her opponent in all towns and cities except one. No other politician in Cebu has ever achieved that. In 2022, even the congressman of the 7th District, Peter John Durano Calderon, a very close relative of her opponent, supported Governor Gwen. For if he didn’t, the governor would have put up a very strong opponent to Calderon, who could have defeated him. I know the 7th District politics as I come from there. Gwen is a brilliant strategist with the brains of Machiavelli, the wisdom of Solomon, and the heart of Mother Teresa.

Gwen is also very popular in the other six districts. And so, where shall the opposition get her opponent in the next elections? As long as the Gullases in the 1st District stay with her, Governor Gwen is invincible in the vote-rich district. But if the Gullases veer away, the governor already has a Plan B and a Plan C for that district. The 3rd District will never be a problem. This is the district where the Garcias have lorded for the last 30 years or so, from Pablo Sr. to the incumbent brother of the governor. The 4th District is firmly in the hands of the governor with the strong support of the Salimbangons and despite the credible opposition of the Martinez Clan in Bogo. The 5th District is now under the complete control of the governor, except perhaps Danao City. The Frascos' conquest of the Duranos will remain irreversible.

Gwen has gone through all kinds of "storms" in her personal and political life. She faced all the cannon balls and the missiles from her enemies, and survived all the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortunes". She has been wounded and scarred in all kinds of battlefields in her life and career. But she always came out the winner. There were ups and downs, there were advances and retreats, but never was there a surrender. This is Helen of Troy and Cleopatra combined, a warrior but also a lover, a fierce fighter but also a charmer. She appears very fierce and strong, but has the heart of an angel.

The boldness and courage came from Noy Pabling, the charms and compassion from Judge Inday Fiel Garcia. Wondrous genes indeed, and the lady is making waves that so many men tremble in fear and other women shy in envy and awe. So, we should never, ever mess with the dragon butterfly in the Capitol. Or else, we do so at our own peril.