Gwen’s daughter hired to continue Capitol projects

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday announced the appointment of her elder daughter, Christina, as a Capitol consultant.

Her job is to “immerse” in key programs like Suroy-Suroy Sugbo and the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo festivals, and ensure they continue beyond her mother’s term, which ends in 2013.

Maria Esperanza Christina Garcia Codilla-Frasco, a 30-year-old lawyer and wife of Liloan Municipal Mayor Duke Frasco, was named “consultant on projects and programs institutionalization.”

Governor Garcia said she chose her daughter not just for her legal expertise but her trust.

“This person will need to have a legal background. She must also understand fully well that these programs and projects are not all about intellect and conceptualization. It is about the heart as well. … That person must truly understand and know me,” said the governor.

Her decision to bring in a family member echoed her own entry in the Cebu government.

Gwen served as Capitol consultant when her father Pablo Garcia was Cebu governor in 2001 before she ran for the position in 2004.

“I cannot control or avoid the possibility that people will think that I am grooming her,” said the governor.

Christina is the second of three married children—the governor’s son Paulo and youngest daughter, Carissa.

Gwen is on her third and last term as Cebu governor.

“You will recall I was a consultant (of my father) on systems promotions and development. I think generally the public would agree with me there really is a need now for our programs to be sustained even after I shall have gone.”

Is history repeating itself? Cebu Daily news asked.

“It is for the public to answer. Right now I am focused on work,” replied the governor.

Christina, who showed up in the middle of the press conference after her mother spent almost 10 minutes describing the new job before announcing her name, said she knew questions about her plans in politics would arise.

“I will think of more creative ways to answer all of them. I will just answer you like what I learned from my mom. … Let us cross the bridge when we get there. For now, I am focused on work. There is so much work that needs to be done,” Christina said.

Christina, a graduate of the Ateneo de Manila law school, is connected with the Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc and Delos Angeles law firm.
“You can call her (Christina) Kikay for short,” Governor Garcia quipped.

She said her daughter will have a hand in such programs as the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, Obra Negosyo, One Cebu Expo and E-GWEN.

Christina teaches law at the University of San Carlos (USC) College of Law and at the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR) where she specializes in general corporate practice and commercial litigation.

Her resumé says she also gives legal advice and assistance in the preparation and negotiation of corporate transactions.