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PJ Garcia: It would take a ‘miracle’ for Gwen to change her plans for reelection
October 27, 2009 07:32:00
Cebu Daily News
The administration coalition continues to woo Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to run for vice president.
But her younger brother, Rep. Pablo John Garcia of Cebu’s 3rd district, said it would take a “miracle” for the governor to accept the role of a running mate of Lakas-Kampi standard bearer Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr.
“I don't think so,” Pablo John said when asked if Gwen would drop her reelection bid next year.
“Only a miracle can change that.”
Their father, Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia said most of the family members who were consulted, didn't like the idea of Gwen seeking higher office because it would affect Cebu's political unity, which the governor had long fought for.
Teodoro told reporters on the sidelines of the launching of the Department of National Defense Proper Citizen's Charter in Manila yesterday that Gwen and Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos were both competent to be his running mate in the 2010 elections.
But he said he distanced himself from negotiations of Lakas-Kampi-CMD with any potential candidates for the party’s No.2 spot.
He said he would get involved in the party's choice once he has settled down and has resigned from his post in a couple of weeks.
“I'm not pushing for anyone right now and I am leaving it to the party to choose ... I can personally focus my attention to this after I have settled down,” he said.
Teodoro said he would have no problem working with either Santos, considered the long-reigning box office queen in Philippine cinema, or Gwen as he had worked with them in regional disaster coordinating council meetings.
“I think the reason the party chose me was because I can convince anyone to my platform and I am easy to work with,” Teodoro said.
Speculation heated up when it was reported that Lakas-Kampi had scheduled its Nov. 12 national convention in Cebu City, the first time it has done so, for a milestone event to proclaim the party’s choice for the presidential and vice presidential race.
When asked what made Garcia qualified, Teodro said she was a top-performing governor and resides in the Visayas.
Vote-rich Cebu province delivered 1.1 million votes that clinched the victory of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the 2004 presidential elections against actor Fernando Poe Jr.
Batangas Governor Santos said she was not interested and prefers to seek reelection.
Jing Segusmundo, Batangas City provincial information chief, said that as of last week, no personal talks were made between Santos and some presidential candidates, especially Teodoro.
“She loves Batangas and she does not want to leave the Batangueños,” she said.
Like Santos, Gwen said she prefers to seek reelection for a third term.
Her decision is supported by her family, said younger brother Pablo John.
“People are reading too much into Gibo's plan to announce (his presidential bid) in Cebu... I mean, Erap (former president Joseph Estrada) announced in Tondo and Noynoy (senator Benigno Aquino Jr.) announced in Greenhills. That doesn't say anything about their VP candidates,” said Pablo John.
Pablo John said having Teodoro's proclamation here is an indication of how important Cebu is for the administration party.
“The proclamation is planned here. I believe because Gibo recognizes the power of Cebu to make a difference in the elections. We are vote-rich and have the potential to deliver. That’s something the other (presidential) candidates do not seem to recognize because they think it's all about Metro Manila.”
This does not necessarily mean that Teodoro's running mate would come from Cebu, he said.
Pablo John said he was not certain if Lakas-Kampi officials had sought his family’s help for preparations of their Nov. 12 proclamation.
He was only certain that his elder sister would continue to serve Cebu province.
“Although she (governor Garcia) has done a lot for Cebu, she believes a lot remains to be done. Her priority is really Cebu.”
Gwen told CEBU DAILY NEWS in an earlier interview that she would stay in Cebu to keep the unity of local officials and to complete her programs and projects.
The governor is in Guangdong, China on invitation of Gov. Huang Hua Hua to explore a possible sisterhood agreement.
Garcia is travelling with Provincial Board Members Agnes Magpale, Victor Maambong, Peter John Calderon, Wilfredo Caminero and Joven Mondigo Jr. and reporters from two other local dailies.
They are expected to be back on Friday.
“We considered that (possibility of Gwen running for higher office) a long time ago and the decision is for Gov to run for reelection,” Pablo John told .
Their father, Pablo, said the family believes it was not time for Gwen to leave Cebu and that she was able to unite local officials in the province during her two terms as governor.
Leaving Cebu would affect the unity, Pablo said.
She emphasized her decision not to run for vice president during her last State of the Province Address, he added.
Pablo said the issue about the vice presidency cropped up during Teodoro's recent visit where Gwen repeated that she did not want to run for the higher post.
When if Arroyo asks her to run?
Pablo said the final decision would be up to his daughter.
“I talked to the governor about this rumor before she left for China and the governor said Teodoro really mentioned the idea of her running for vice president but she declined because of her intention to seek a third term as governor of Cebu,” said Capitol Consultant on information lawyer Rory Jon Sepulveda.
It was not a formal request but was just mentioned by Teodoro in passing, he added.
Rep. Benhur Salimbangon of Cebu's 4th district, said he believed Gwen would not run for vice president.
“I don't think she will leave the province as of the moment,” he said.
Salimbangon said he too believed that Garcia was still needed in the province to complete the projects she had started. “Personally, I would be happier if she stays as governor,” he added.
PJ Garcia: It would take a ‘miracle’ for Gwen to change her plans for reelection
Originally Posted by clamshell
I couldn't agree more! 
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