Guvs sign manifesto for GMA
AT LEAST 52 of the 81-member League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) pledged their continued support for President Arroyo, as calls for her to resign grow more strident.
The governors, who went on a “unity walk” to express their support after attending a Cabinet meeting in Malacañang, said they believe she deserves to finish her term until 2010.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia confirmed that the league approved a manifesto of support for President Arroyo during their meeting in Camarines Sur last. Feb. 13.
Garcia gave the confirmation after she was informed that the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) pledged support during a social gathering at Malacañang.
While confirming the manifesto’s approval, Dumanjug Mayor Cesar Baricuatro, president of the LMP-Cebu Chapter, clarified that the President is not conducting a loyalty check among chief executives of the cities, towns and provinces.
Of the 53 mayors in Cebu, Baricuatro and Boljoon Mayor Deogenes Derama were the only ones present during the gathering at the Palace. No political issues were discussed while they dined with the President, Baricuatro added.
“I have always been consistent in my stand. We will always support the duly constituted authority. Any un-constituted means to overthrow the government will not be supported by myself, by the government and by the people,” Garcia said.
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña did not get any invitation from Malacañang for the gathering of mayors over the weekend, but the mayor said he would go if he is asked to attend a similar event.
“I have to follow because that’s the President calling. An invitation is not obligatory but if the President says, ‘Report’, then I have to report because that’s the executive department, especially if the invitation is political. If I don’t go, I will be misconstrued as not supporting the President. Samot na that I will go,” he said.
“I’ll go na lang; anyway, they have good coffee there,” Osmeña told reporters during his news conference.
The governors went to Malacañang for a meeting with the Cabinet-National Economic and Development Authority group, where they discussed a forthcoming food summit, the mining operations in the countryside and the Kilos Asenso program.
Antique Gov. Salvacion Zaldivar-Perez said that while some sectors are making a lot of noise for the President to step down, the governors want to make “a lot of noise for the President.”
Presidential economic adviser and Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the governors reiterated their confidence in Arroyo, believing it is in the best interest of the country that she continues with her mandate. (Sunnex/With LCR & GMD)