Councilor cites Tet Garcia’s legacy in politics

A veteran politician from Barangay Saguing in Dinalupihan town lauded on Friday the important legacy of Enrique T. Garcia, Jr., who served as congressman and governor of Bataan.

Elizalde M. Torno, a member of the Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council) of Dinalupihan, and chair committee on peace and order, said the greatest legacy of Tet Garcia is the scholarship program which until now is being enjoyed by Bataan youths.

Torno, who joined local politics in 1989 as municipal councilor, is among the closest individuals to “The Man Called Tet.” He said what he admired most about the man who transformed Bataan into a national model in such areas as health, education, and business development, “was his being close to the masses. Tinulungan niya ang mga tao.”
“Pumupunta sa bahay yan at ipapatawag ang mga kasamahang konsehal at barangay captain. Magkukuwentuhan lang at magbe-breakfast,” said Torno during a brief interview in his SB office. (He would come to our place and would gather the councilors and barangay captains for exchange of ideas over breakfast.)

Torno said: “Lahat ng moves niya alam ko. Pag may mga programa ako ang nagpapakilala sa kanya.” He added: “Natuto ako sa pulitika dahil kay Tet. Patuloy ako naniniwala sa mga programa niya.”