Gwen eyes spot in UNA lineup

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said she’s hoping to be included in the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial slate for the 2013 elections.

In yesterday’s interview on “Mornings” at ANC hosted by Pinky Webb, the governor said she will have to wait until UNA makes its announcement.

“We’ve had talks between Vice President Jejomar Binay and former president Estrada,” she said.

Governor Garcia also said she received support for her senatorial bid from officials like Sen. Loren Legarda, who confirmed that she was invited to run under UNA.

She also acknowledged that she’s not well-known outside of Cebu.

“I am very aware that my awareness level is really low, stands at around 40 percent. I will really work harder on my awareness level,” she said.

When asked how she would do so, Garcia said she will have to make more appearances in national media to gain recognition in Luzon, which carries 26 million votes. The governor was recently spotted attending a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) finals game with business leader Manny Pangilinan.

“I am grateful for the ready help extended to me by those who have the experience on running a national campaign like Senator Loren Legarda, even senator Migs Zubiri,” she said.

Garcia, who is in her third and last term as governor of Cebu, said her eight years of experience in local governance will help her in making national policies.

“I decided to make a go for national office because I do believe that the lessons and programs that we have successfully instituted could be translated on a national level,” she said. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus