Gwen says her successor, 2013 plans to be out July

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia  has a potential  successor  waiting in the wings, she told reporters last Friday.

“We are already looking at a viable candidate for governor who has the competence, capability and winnability who can assure the sustainability of our existing programs,” she said at a press conference.

But Garcia didn’t give a name, saying she doesn’t want to lay down all her cards yet.

“At least, I tickled you with that,” she said.

She said the aspirant “enjoys my full trust and confidence,” she said.

Governor Garcia, who chairs the  One Cebu party, said the party is looking at their potential candidates for the 2013 elections.

She said she will announce  her political plans during her State of the Province Address (SOPA) in July.

There was earlier speculation that her  daughter Christina Codilla-Frasco may run for the Capitol’s top post after she was named a consultant last year for the “institutionalization” of her mother’s programs like the Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbo.

Christina, wife of Liloan Mayor Duke Frasco, is several months pregnant.

Another scenario was that Gwen’s father Rep. Pablo Garcia or her younger brother Rep. Pablo John would seek the post while Gwen would run for a Senate seat.

Earlier last year Pablo John of  Cebu’s 3rd district said he would  run for a third congressional term  in 2013 and wasn’t eyeing the governorship.

The governor on Friday said she is focusing  on completing her programs in Cebu. Garcia is on her third and last term as governor.

In related news, the Philippine National Police said it ordered its regional chiefs nationwide to identify armed groups and dismantle them before the 2013 elections.

PNP Chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome told reporters in yesterday’s Cebu visit that their precinct chiefs will assign personnel in major hotspots to maximize their effectiveness.

He said based on previous elections, Central Visayas remained peaceful except for some minor altercations.

Bartolome said he would also also prioritize the issuance of service firearms to police personnel in next year’s budget.

He said some policemen used their personal guns while others are forced to buy and register paltik or improvised guns for their use. With Correspondent Chito Aragon