Pablo P. Garcia

This article is about the Filipino politician. For other people of similar name, see Pablo Garcia (disambiguation).

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Paras and the surname or paternal family name is Garcia.

The Honorable Pablo P. Garcia
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines for Visayas
In office May 2008 – June 30, 2013
Preceded by	Raul Del Mar
Succeeded by	Sergio Apostol
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Cebu
In office June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2013
Preceded by	Simeon Kintanar
Succeeded by	Wilfredo S. Caminero
Constituency	2nd District
In office June 30, 1987 – June 30, 1995
Preceded by	Post Established
Succeeded by	John Henry Osmeña
Constituency	3rd District
Governor of Cebu
In office June 30, 1995 – June 30, 2004
Vice Governor	Apolonio A. Abines Jr. (1995–1998) Fernando S. Celeste (1998–2001) John Gregory H. Osmeña Jr. (2001–2004)
Preceded by	Vicente L. dela Serna
Succeeded by	Gwendolyn F. Garcia
Vice Governor of Cebu
In office December 30, 1969 – December 30, 1971
Preceded by	Osmundo G. Rama
Succeeded by	Salutario J. Fernandez
Personal details
Born	(1925-09-25)September 25, 1925
Died	August 18, 2021(2021-08-18) (aged 95)
Nationality	Filipino
Political party	NUP (2011–2021)
Other political affiliations	One Cebu (2007–2021) Lakas–CMD (2007–2011) LDP (1987–1995)
Spouse	Esperanza Fiel Garcia (deceased 2016)
Children	Gwen (daughter) Pablo John (son) Winston (son)
Alma mater	University of San Carlos
Occupation	Lawyer
Profession	Politician
Nickname	Pabling Garcia

Pablo Paras Garcia (September 25, 1925 – August 18, 2021) was a Filipino lawyer and politician who have been the patriarch of the Garcia political clan of Province of Cebu. He was a longtime congressman and governor.

Early career

A topnotcher in the 1951 Bar Examinations (3rd place), he was a distinguished trial lawyer, law professor, and respected constitutionalist. Garcia was an opposition lawyer during the Marcos Sr. dictatorship. He is one of the many lawyers who helped the opposition in Cebu when 1986 snap elections happen.

Political career

Garcia served as governor of Cebu from 1995 to 2004. He had previously served as the vice-governor of Cebu from 1969 to 1971. Garcia has been elected to three terms as a Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines. From 1987 to 1995, Garcia represented the Third District of Cebu. He was again elected to Congress in 2007, this time representing the Second District of Cebu. He was defeated in his bid for re-election in 2013.

His daughter Gwendolyn succeeded him as governor in 2004, while his son Pablo John was elected to Garcia's previous congressional seat in 2007. In 2007, the Garcia family established the One Cebu political party. Garcia was also a member of Lakas Kampi CMD.

His son, Byron, the former security consultant for the Cebu provincial government, gained attention in 2007 after instituting a program of choreographed exercise routines for the inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) and uploading the routines on YouTube, including the popular Thriller viral video. Garcia's other son, Winston Garcia, is the former president and general manager of the Government Service Insurance System (Philippines) and the official candidate of One Cebu for provincial governor on May 9 (date of 2016 Philippine general election).

In 2010, his son Nelson Gamaliel was elected in large margin as Mayor of Dumanjug, Cebu. At the same time Marlon, the younger brother of Nelson Gamaliel was also elected Vice-Mayor of the Municipality of Barili, Cebu.

He was elected Chairman of the Committee on Revision of Laws on 7 August 2007; and, when the House leadership was changed, he was consequently appointed Deputy Speaker in May 2008.