Puerto Rico still unsure who'll be governor within hours

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — With just hours left before Puerto Rico's governor was expected to step down, his designated successor tried Friday to convince legislators to confirm him in a down-to-the-wire attempt to avoid political chaos and avert a potential constitutional crisis.

But even if Pedro Pierluisi manages to win confirmation in the island's House of Representatives, legislators debating the constitution disagreed over the line of succession and whether he could actually take Gov. Ricardo Rosselló's place as the U.S. territory's chief executive.

The confusion sowed bitterness and pessimism among Puerto Ricans about the fate of their nation, which has been battered by years of bankruptcy and Hurricane Maria in 2017, one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history. Only days ago, there was jubilation over the success of the popular movement to force Rosselló out of office.

"People are disgusted with the government in general, not just Ricardo Rosselló, everyone," said Janeline Avila, 24, who recently received her degree in biotechnology.

Pierluisi, 60, a former Puerto Rico congressional representative in Washington, faced more than two dozen legislators in the first of two public hearings that debated his selection as secretary of state, who could assume the governorship if the post is vacant.

If Pierluisi is rejected, Justice Secretary Wanda Vázquez automatically becomes governor as the next in the order of succession. She has said she would accept the job, but unwillingly.

Some lawmakers said a House vote for Pierluisi would count as confirmation and allow him to assume the governorship. Opponents said he must achieve Senate approval too, and they would sue to stop him becoming governor without that.

When asked, even Pierluisi said he did not...