Garcia, Gullas or Gica for 2028?

To give Cebuanos a fresh chance to choose non-traditional, non-transactional candidates for governor of Cebu, we should not limit our choices to former governor Gwen Garcia, incumbent Governor Pam Baricuatro, and Vice Governor Glenn Soco.

Many Cebuanos are looking forward to a 3G pintakasi in 2028 for the Cebu gubernatorial race. Baricuatro can run in the Third District to contest the congressional seat of Representative Karen Garcia. Soco can run for reelection or try a congressional venture if he has enough wherewithal to go up against the Ouanos.

Former Third District congressman Pablo John Garcia represents maturity, intellectual wisdom, and national stature. Both Mayors Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas and Efren Guntrano “Gungun” Gica of Talisay City and Dumanjug, respectively, exude youth, dynamism, progressive thinking, proven LGU performance, and rapport with the people.

Most probably, Pablo John will be the candidate of the Dutertes, Gullas of the BBM administration, and Gica is a well-known Leni Robredo supporter. But everything can change. It is too early to tell.

Pablo John is the youngest child of the great and well-loved Noy Pabling Garcia, who, like his father, was a Bar topnotcher. Born on May 19, 1967, Pablo John is the son of the late Judge Esperanza Fiel Garcia, founder of the famed Cebu CFI Community Cooperative. PJ is a younger brother of Gwen and former GSIS president and general manager Winston Garcia. The Garcias are the unquestioned kingpins of Barili, although Noy Pabling and Noy Jesus were really from Bitoon, Dumanjug.

Pablo John is the uncle of former Tourism secretary Cristina Garcia Frasco, and uncle-in-law of Congressman and Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco. He is also the husband of Congresswoman Karen Flores Garcia. It's all in the family.

But on his own, PJ has also made a mark in Congress. He was the one tasked by the House of Representatives to write the decision to strip ABS-CBN of its franchise. I do not know if that was an achievement to be proud of, but he was only doing his job. He only wrote what the majority decided.

Samsam was born on December 1, 1984, to Gerald “Didi” Gullas and Josephine Vargas. Samsam is the grandson of the iconic congressman, Talisay City mayor, and former University of the Visayas president Eduardo Rivera Gullas. He is also the eldest great-grandson of the founder of UV, Don Vicente Gullas, and Lady Josefina Rivera, and great-grandnephew of the founder of The Freeman, Bar topnotcher Don Paulino Arandia Gullas.

He is the husband of undefeated and unopposed First District Rep. Rhea Mae Aquino Gullas. Also all in the family.

Samsam has been undefeated and is well-loved and well-respected by his constituents. His strong rapport with the mayors of Minglanilla, Naga, San Fernando, Carcar, and Sibonga led to his wife running unopposed in the last elections. He has weathered all attacks about alleged flood control projects. He has successfully explained his role relative to the Mananga River and other issues.

Gica is the more famous son of successful lawyer and security business entrepreneur Edgar Gica and his beautiful wife, Marna Zozobrado, from Dumanjug. Gungun was named in honor of his grandfather, an excellent mayor of Dumanjug in the 1950s and 1960s, Guntrano Gica.

He is the younger brother of the town's vice mayor, Wado Gica. Gungun has transformed a sleepy town into a very progressive center of commerce and education in the southwest.

Under his leadership, Dumanjug has surpassed the economic development of Badian and Moalboal and is now number one among the eight towns of DRAMMBAG, or Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara, Moalboal, Malabuyoc, Badian, Alegria, and Ginatilan.

He has built a beautiful public market, which is now the envy of the other Seventh District municipalities. He is also building a new municipal government center on a beautiful site in Barangay Tapon, facing the island of Negros and along the national boulevard by the sea.

The bottom line is that I do not think Gungun will ever oppose Pablo John. The Gicas and the Garcias had a strong tactical alliance during Governor Gwen's time. It is also possible that Pablo John can run for senator, and both Gungun and Pablo John will support Samsam. The political situation is still fluid.

But I would also love to see Samsam becoming governor, like his lolo; PJ becoming our senator from Cebu; and Gungun becoming congressman of the Seventh District. That would be the best scenario.

And I look forward to that day.