Monday, April 28, 2008 Gordon awaits Gwen’s nod to be his tandem in 2010
MANILA - Sen. Richard Gordon’s presence at an event honoring Cebuano heroism again provoked speculations he may seek the presidency in 2010 with Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia as his vice presidential candidate.
“All of us are for good governance. It is not only good governance but great governance. I will make the announcement in the proper time. I am available. I am thinking about it seriously. There are several goals that I want exercised in this country,” Gordon told reporters yesterday.
These goals, the former tourism secretary added, include teaching individual responsibility on the part of voters and supporters.
“I’m trying to change the paradigm,” the senator said, interviewed on the sidelines of the 487th Battle of Mactan rites at Manila’s Rizal Park. Several Cebu-based reporters covered the event at the Provincial Government’s invitation.
Asked if he is willing to run for vice president instead, with Garcia seeking the presidency, Gordon replied, “It doesn’t matter to me for as long as the ideology is there. I have to live with somebody I can work with.”
President material
The governor, he added, “is not just vice president material, she is President material.”
When sought for comment, Garcia said that what matters most is that she and Gordon are believers of good governance. Apart from Gordon, among those who have admitted considering Garcia as a running mate in 2010 are Sens. Manny Villar, Mar Roxas, Panfilo Lacson and Loren Legarda and Vice President Noli de Castro.
But Garcia is tight-lipped on the issue, saying the election is still far off and that she would rather work hard for her constituents rather than think about political plans.
Term limits
Saying he sees potential in Cebu’s ability to compete, Gordon said he would also like to see Garcia serve as governor for six years “so she can plan and can have a vision and implement it.”
“She (Garcia) may be unpopular in the beginning, but in the next three years makikita mo (you’ll see) she will become popular,” said Gordon. He added he doesn’t agree with the idea of term limits.
First elected as governor in 2004, Garcia remains eligible for one more reelection campaign in 2010, but in recent months has drawn speculation that she may seek national office when her second term ends.(GMD)
