Gwen endorses Legarda, gives One Cebu backing

NP-NPC-LDP vice presidential candidate Loren Legarda finally got the official endorsement of One Cebu, headed by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, at the party's grand rally on Saturday in Mandaue City.

Legarda was ecstatic over the endorsement, announced at the Cebu International Convention Center, coming as it did just a day after she got the support of boxing king Manny Pacquiao in Saranggani.

"Gwen's support is a big boost," Legarda said. "Cebu will be the swing vote in the election."

As leader of most dominant party of the island province, Garcia has a very strong influence over local leaders down to the barangay leaders. Her endorsement gives Legarda a chance to woo a big chunk of some 2.4 million votes.

"Gwen has my full admiration. What she has done for Cebu is really monumental and makes me admire her. I support her efforts towards One Cebu, and we should extend this to One Visayas and One Philippines, promoting unity in diversity," said the vice presidential candidate.

Aptly, the show of support came shortly before Earth Hour, a voluntary lights-out gesture to promote environmental awareness, which is one of the key advocacies of Legarda.

"Gwen and I share the same advocacies: the fight against climate change, defending the welfare of farmers, promoting agriculture and rural livelihood, protecting women's rights and giving women a bigger role in governance," said Legarda.

Last January, Legarda was invited to the Suroy-Suroy festival in the Southern Cebu towns where she voiced her environment advocacies.