Give credit where it is due—to the people, Garin on GMA's '04 win

By Florence F. Hibionada
Correspondent

Is it President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who owes Senate Franklin Drilon for her overwhelming Ilonggo votes in last year's polls? Or is it the other way around?

For Representative Janette Loreto-Garin (First District, Iloilo), the answer is neither.  In fact, the answer lies elsewhere—in the trust and confidence of the Ilonggo voters and the high credibility rate then enjoyed by the President.  The issue of gratitude stemmed from the earlier statements of Drilon who said GMA has a lot to thank him for and not vice versa.  Such, amidst the criticisms thrown against the Ilonggo Senator following his recent change of allegiance and change of heart in calling for the resignation of Arroyo.

Speaking before Kapehan Sa Budyong , Garin said it is not right for anybody to have sole claim on the President's victory in Western Visayas and in Iloilo in particular.  If names are to be identified, Garin added, then Drilon might as well be joined in the list with other administration figures like Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Jr., Rep. Arthur Defensor (Third District), Vice Governor Roberto Armada and former First District Rep. Oscar Garin.

“It wouldn't be right nor fair to claim that only one person did it.  It was a team effort but ultimately, it boiled down to the high credibility rate of President Arroyo that had our Ilonggo voters support her.  We take pride in our intellectual voters here and the people themselves who knew they had a better choice in Arroyo for President.  Indi gid na husto nga halambalon nga si Presidente pa ang may kabalasnan.  Again, it is the people really who should be credited here,” Garin said.

Of late Drilon has been subject of unsavory remarks and media commentaries for his anti-Arroyo stance barely a week after he made a bold declaration in Iloilo of an all-out support to the President and her administration.  From “balimbing” to political butterfly, Drilon was tagged with various names.

Asked how she would call him, Garin quipped, “I still prefer to call him Senator.”

Meantime, the lady solon maintained her position of standing by the rule of law in the ongoing crisis faced by Arroyo.  While saying that the current government needs a major overhaul in its system and that she will push for the impeachment, Garin, an administration solon also said ultimately her vote will be based on the sentiments of her constituents in the First District.

“As a party stand, we are solidly supporting GMA but I am also pushing for the impeachment so the people will know what the truth is.  I would want to hasten the impeachment proceedings and hopefully such would be resolved in two to three months.  Till then, I stand by the rule of law and “no” to any other means that would only further destabilize our country,” she ended.

Kapehan sa Budyong is hosted by veteran broadcaster, Cora Paniergo-Robles and Jess Caduco, senior anchorman of DYBQ Radyo Budyong.