In what could be a historic mark in Cebu’s political history, the Garcias of southern Cebu and the Martinezes of Bogo City have once again found themselves in the same political party.
This time though, it is a local political party, the One Cebu Party founded and chaired by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia in 2007 in response to the Sugbuak, a movement meant to split the entire Cebu island into different provinces.
On Monday, January 15, Bogo City Mayor Carlo Martinez, Vice Mayor Mayel Martinez, and Board Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez III led city and barangay officials in pledging allegiance to the ruling One Cebu Party.
The patriarchs of the two families, former governor Pablo Garcia and long-time mayor Celestino Martinez Jr., were colleagues in Congress. They shared a genuine friendship in their time in crafting important legislations such as the landmark Local Government Code of 1991.
They even forged an alliance as running mates in the 2001 gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial race.
“This decision came easy for me tungod kay ever since nagkakuyog mi ni Gov. og trabaho adtong 2019, si Gov. Gwen has been really welcoming gyud sa akoa,” Mayor Carlo said in his speech at the Bogo City Hall Complex.
The mayor enumerated at least 8 infrastructure projects funded by the Capitol in the city, despite them being not political allies with the governor.
“Isip amahan sa Syudad sa Bogo, mangita gyod tag paagi nga mahatag ang insaktong serbisyo sa katawhan. Dili ta angay magpabuta-buta. Isip amahan, nakakita gyod ko og leader nga sakto, nga kamao moatiman, kamao molaban sa iyang katawhan,” the mayor added.
For his part, Board Member Tining said it is high time that the two camps reunite under one banner as this is the secret to a more progressive Bogo City.
He recounted how in 1998, when Noy Pabling Garcia was governor and he was municipal mayor of Bogo, he was elected president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines—Cebu Chapter, proof that the Garcias and Martinezes have been former allies.
“There are bigger things nga makab-ot nato kon kita magkahiusa,” the board member said.
Gov. Garcia was joined by third district Congressman Pablo John Garcia, secretary general of One Cebu, in receiving into the fold 10 city councilors, 29 barangay captains from the city’s 29 barangays, and 242 barangay councilors.
This was also witnessed by fourth district Board Members Carmela Franco and Kerrie Shimura.
“This is indeed a historic event, one that is 20 years ago would have been thought of as impossible,” Congressman PJ said in his speech.
“I am not only happy as the secretary general of One Cebu that we have united; I am happy especially as the son of Pabling Garcia to be here today to fulfill his dream of unity,” he said.
Gov. Gwen was delighted at the reunification between the two families that remained elusive in the lifetime of their patriarchs. She said she is optimistic for Bogo City’s continued growth and development under the dynamic leadership of the young Martinezes.
“Kung kining atong pinalanggang Lalawigan sa Sugbo atong gitinguha nga mosaka, . . . nagkinahanglan magdungan tang tanan,” Gov. Garcia said in her speech.
“Kinahanglan dunganon, walay hikawan sa mga imprastraktura nga gikinahanglan, mga programa sa mga kabus, sa mga senior citizens, kababayen-an, kabataan, sa estudyante. Walay biyaan aron kuyog tang tanan sa usa, hiniusa, ug dili gayod mabuak nga Sugbo,” she added.