One Cebu gubernatorial candidate Winston Garcia endorsed last Tuesday the candidacy of former senator Richard J. Gordon, who is seeking a fresh term in the Senate.
During the 888 News Forum Live in Cebu, Garcia announced that Gordon is one of three senatorial bets that he is endorsing in the forthcoming May 9 elections.
“I am only carrying three and you will see that in my sample ballot. Now, I declare that one of those three will be Senator Dick Gordon. I will not bother with 12 because I want to show my full support. I don’t want to break up my full support. It’s only three and one of them is Senator Dick Gordon,” he said.
Garcia, former general manager and president of the Government Service Insurance System, added that Gordon already had his support since he filed his Certificate of Candidacy in October last year, the senatorial bet having been the first one to call him up and seek his support.
“When he filed his CoC, he was the first candidate to call me asking for my support. The very first, way back in October pa. He called me up by phone. And I told him I am committed to you,” he recounted.
For his part, Gordon welcomed Garcia’s endorsement, adding that his relationship with the Garcia’s and the people of Cebu go a long way.
“I certainly welcome it [the support]. The Garcia’s are not unknown to me. They have been friends of mine for a long time. I went to school with Alvin Garcia. I worked with Gwen when she was governor. With your father, too, and I was in the constitutional convention with the Garcia’s as well. So we go a long way, my relationship with Cebu goes a long way,” he said.
When Typhoon “Rufing” hit Cebu, Gordon, who was then Olongapo mayor, came to Cebu’s assistance. He also stood side by side with the province in protesting the unfairness of what they tagged as Imperial Manila. Over the years, Gordon continued to demonstrate his great admiration for Cebu and the Cebuanos and to give them his support. During the earthquake, Gordon was supportive and when he was Secretary of Tourism, he made Cebu the centerpiece of tourism. During his term in the Senate, Gordon also had the Lapu-Lapu Monument installed at the Luneta Park. The Lapu-Lapu Monument represents the Visayas and the Muslims while Rizal represents Tagalog Christians which unites the country.
“You must know that I always support Cebu. I have always been a friend of Cebu, that I even put up the Lapu-lapu monument….I like the history of this place and I like the people of this place,” averred the senatorial candidate, who was also a guest at the said news forum.