Paolo Bediones traces families reigning at Cebu’s political throne on Balwarte

CEBU, Philippines - Considered the Queen City of the South, Cebu is one of the most vital provinces in the country as it is the center of commerce in the Southern Philippines.

Come May this year, the city’s 2.5 million registered voters will be vital in dictating the fate of those vying for national positions. It is no surprise that local politicians want to assume posts in the Queen City’s public throne as a result of Cebu’s national influence.

Today on dokyuserye Balwarte, Paolo Bediones takes a closer look at Cebu’s political landscape to see which families reign in one of the country’s most important bulwarks.

Just before the year 2012 bid goodbye, the vote-rich province of Cebu made headlines following the Office of the Ombudsman’s resolution to suspend Governor Gwendolyn Garcia. Her deputy, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, was ordered to fill the vacancy.

But the transition was anything but smooth. In what was considered the “capitol standoff,” suspended Gov. Garcia refused to leave her office at the provincial capitol without a fight.

Which clans control the province’s seat of power? And just how important is Cebu in the eyes of those running for national positions?

Join Paolo Bediones on Balwarte as he flips through Cebu’s political history tonight (February 24), 11PM on TV5 and Aksyon TV. More show-related information is available online via the show’s official Facebook page (Balwarte) and Twitter account (@balwarte2013).