CEBU CITY – The son of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. said he is ready to face incumbent Governor Gwendolyn Garcia should the Liberal Party (LP) appoint him as its candidate for the gubernatorial race in the 2010 elections.

Hilario Davide III confirmed that the LP is considering fielding him to run against the incumbent although he stressed that the party has to follow a nomination process first as there are others who would like to run for the same position.

Still, Davide, during the weekly 888 News Forum at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel in Cebu City, said he already has the blessing of his family, especially his father, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide, now the Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations, to run against the “powerful politician.”

Said Davide, “I’ve already consulted my father and he said he will support whatever decision I make.”

Although he accepts the fact that the current Governor, who has expressed her intention to run for a third term, is a strong candidate, Davide said it is the people who will make a decision whom to vote for.

“Gwen is a formidable incumbent and has done great things for the province but I’m putting my chances on the people,” said Davide in the same Forum.

Davide has resigned his post as Cebu City Councilor after he was appointed chairman of the Liberal Party in Cebu province.
If asked by the party to run for governor, he said, “I’m willing to accept and challenge the incumbent.”

If he is elected governor, Davide said he will continue programs started by Governor Garcia that have been beneficial to the people, but will cut down on those that have been costing the province.

Davide, however, stressed that running for governor is only secondary and his current priority is to dispense with his responsibilities as LP provincial chairman, primary of which is to secure votes among Cebuanos for the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the 2010 elections.

“My primary job as (LP) provincial chairman is to make sure that Senators Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas will win in the province,” he underlined.