CEBU CITY — Cebu 3rd District Representative Gwendolyn Garcia formalized her bid to run anew for governor in the 2019 midterm elections when she filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Provincial Office on Friday.
Garcia, who was elected as the first lady governor of Cebu in 2004, said nothing would stop her from running for governor, not even the Ombudsman’s dismissal order that stemmed from her approval of the purchase of the PHP99-million Balili property in the City of Naga in 2008 which was found to be mostly underwater.
Her brother, Pablo John Garcia, also filed his COC for congressman in the 3rd District. Pablo John, or PJ, also served as representative of the 3rd District from 2007-2010.
Pablo John said he is running for a seat in the House of Representatives again to see the continuation of his sister’s programs in the district.
“Gwen” said she decided to run again for governor as she has not seen any development in Cebu Province under the administration of Governor Hilario Davide III, especially on infrastructure.
She said she wants to regain the glory of Cebu as the No. 1 province in the country.
“Cebu Province plunged to No. 45 and I will do everything to put us back on top if given the chance to be governor again,” Garcia said in Cebuano.
She added that she will continue her programs which were abandoned by the current administration, including the promotion of some municipalities as tourist destinations through the “Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbo” program.
The lady lawmaker, who celebrated her 63rd birthday Thursday, and Pablo John were accompanied by their father, former Congressman and Governor Pablo Garcia Sr., and their respective families during the filing of the candidacies.
The two Garcias are running under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and One Cebu party. (Luel Galarpe/PNA)
