FORMER Cebu governor Pablo “Pabling” Garcia was laid to rest on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021.
Garcia died on Wednesday, Aug. 18. He was 95 years old.
The funeral ceremony was limited to immediate family members in view of quarantine restrictions.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma presided over the mass at the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Nivel Hills in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.
It was attended by Pabling’s children and grandchildren, including Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia, Liloan Mayor Christina Garcia-Frasco and her husband Fifth District Rep. Duke Frasco.
According to Palma, Cebuanos are grateful to God for giving them someone like Pabling who was known for his exemplary work and his dedication to public service.
He said Pabling had “lifted the image of public service, the image of law and judiciary.”
Pabling was a three-term governor of Cebu (1995-2004) and a deputy speaker of the House of Representatives in the 14th and 15th Congresses representing Cebu’s second congressional district (2007-2013).
He was also a third district congressman (1987-1995), vice governor (1969-1971), Provincial Board member (1967-1969) and Dumanjug municipal councilor (1951).
He placed third in the 1951 Bar Examinations.
Pabling was also a renowned trial lawyer, a law professor and an esteemed constitutionalist. (MVE)