Governor Hilario Davide III is proclaimed as the new vice governor elect of Cebu at the Capitol on May 16. | Gerard Vincent Francisco
CEBU CITY, Philippines — “I will not be an obstructionist.”
Despite coming from different political groups, outgoing Governor and Vice Governor-elect Hilario Davide III promised to support the executive agenda of Governor-elect Gwendolyn Garcia.
In an interview after his official proclamation on Thursday afternoon, May 16, Davide said he was looking forward to working with Garcia despite anticipating “challenges” ahead of their tandem.
“I will support the executive agenda basta para sa kaayohan sa Sugbo ug sa Sugboanon. Sa mga programa, I will support as long as para sa kaayohan sa tanan,” Davide said.
(I will support the executive agenda if it is for the good of Cebu and the Cebuanos. I will support the programs as long as it is for the good of all.)
As vice governor, Davide will be presiding over the Provincial Board, the body that will approve the programs of the executive.
“I’m prepared for the challenges ahead knowing nga dili mi pareha og grupo ni Governor-elect Garcia. I will not be an obstructionist. Motrabaho lang ta,” Davide added.
(I’m prepared for the challenges ahead knowing that Governor-elect Garcia and I do not belong to the same group. I will not be an obstructionist. I will just work.)
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Davide also admitted that they were still in shock with the results of the elections.
“My victory is not complete because my governor did not make it… Shocked kay contrary sa among gi-expect nga kung mapildi man gani si Gov. Magpale, dili kaayo ingon ana kadak-a,” Davide said.
(My victory is not complete because my governor did not make it … We are shocked because contrary to what we expect that if our candidate for governor Magpale, it would not be that big a margin from Garcia.)
Incumbent Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, who run for governor with Davide, lost by a margin of 288,000 votes against Garcia.
Two-term Governor Davide won by over 150,000 votes against Garcia’s running mate, Daphne Salimbangon.
Davide, however, acknowledges that President Rodrigo Duterte’s support to the candidacy of Garcia may have played a big role in the outcome of the election.
Garcia ran for governor under the President’s party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban)./dbs