Gwen on Ace: ‘Most worthy opponent’

CEBU, Philippines —  Governor Gwendolyn Garcia considers former Tourism secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano as her “most worthy opponent” if, indeed, there is truth to reports the latter will run for Cebu governor in the 2022 elections.

“If former secretary Ace Durano would decide to run for governor, then I will be most honored to face him because he is a most worthy opponent,” Garcia said.

Nevertheless, Garcia said that ever since running and winning the top Capitol post in 2004, she has considered all her opponents “worthy” as, according to her, it’s not easy to launch a campaign for governorship.

“Dako kaayo na nga trabaho, molibot ka sa tibook probinsya (It’s a huge work to go around the province). I think it’s a great sacrifice actually,” she said.

Former Fifth District representative Red Durano, president of the Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (BAKUD) party, said his brother Ace is considering to run for governor, “especially with everything going around the province, particularly how the health crisis is being handled and how the health sector is not being prioritized.”

Red said “a lot of organizations have asked Ace to take the lead.”

Garcia, however, maintained that there is nothing wrong with how her administration is handling the current pandemic.

“It’s either he said that because he does not know any better and that can be excused kay kutob ra man sila gud og 5th district and now dili na man gani iya ang 5th... Either he does not know or he pretends not to know, and that (the latter) is worse,” Garcia said.

She continued: “Kana bang you pretend you do not know, that is an old, worn-out political tactic of a long bygone age that doesn’t work anymore,” she added.

Running Mate

Garcia has remained mum, though, as regards her running mate.

She also begged off from commenting on the possibility of forging a tandem with Vice Governor Hilario Davide III, although she was appreciative of the “decency” the vice governor has shown.

“Dili lang ko mo-comment ana (I would rather not comment on that). But this I can say about Vice Governor Davide: In the past two years, he has really shown decency in spite of the fact that we were at the opposing camps,” Garcia said.

To note, Garcia took reins at the Capitol from 2004 to 2013. In 2013, Davide defeated Garcia’s brother, Winston, in the gubernatorial race.

Davide stayed in power for two terms until 2019.

In 2019, Garcia made a Capitol comeback after prevailing over then vice governor Agnes Magpale. Davide, who was Magpale’s running mate, however, won as vice governor. — JMD (FREEMAN)