From 2nd district to 3rd: Gwen now a Barili voter

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia officially transferred yesterday her voter’s registration from Dumanjug town in the second district to Barili town in the third district.

The governor reiterated that her transfer of residence is not entirely political as she just wants to let constituents in the third district, especially those in Barili, feel that they are also being taken care of.

Also today, her son Pablo Garcia III and his wife Michelle, are set to transfer their registration to Barili to be with her in their residence in Sitio Lamac, Barangay Mayana, Barili.

“Actually ang among pamilya nia man gyud sa duha ka lungsod, ang Dumanjug ug Barili,” she said.

Her father, Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia (second district, Cebu) was born in Dumanjug while her grandmother, Doña Josefa Paras, was from Barili.

There were speculations that the transfer of registration is a fallback plan should Gwen decide to run for congresswoman instead of senator as she earlier declared.

She is on her last final term as governor, her brother Rep. Pablo John Garcia (third district, Cebu) has declared his intention to run for governor despite still having another term as congressman.

“I cannot stop them from speculating from trying to read more into this transfer of registration than what it actually is,” the governor said.

Gwen earlier said there is no really big deal in her transfer saying she is still with her constituents in Cebu Province.

“I guess it will keep the whole scene very interesting ug nga malipay ang uban nga gusto makapanday-panday og estorya para makahimo pud sila og bag-ong estorya,” she said.

Garcia was met by all Barili barangay captains and municipal officials led by her brother, Vice Mayor Marlon Garcia, at the town hall at around 11:30 a.m. She immediately entered the local election office for data capture procedures.

Marlon said the transfer of her sister will boost his candidacy for mayor in the next election as the camp of his opponent, Mayor Teresito Mariñas, keeps saying the Garcias are not from Barili.

Pablo and Pablo John both became congressmen in the third district with Ba-rili as their residence.

“It’s a very good and a welcome development for us sa One Cebu nga ang governor karon na-registered voter na sa Barili,” Marlon said. —/BRP (THE FREEMAN)