Respect Gov Pam's whopping political mandate

Those who are lately dropping hints of running against Governor Pam Baricuatro should study the results of the 2025 elections. They and their strategists should punctiliously examine the statistics of Pam's stunning victory over the then incumbent governor, the seemingly invincible. She had no money, no political machine, and did not even have enough streamers and political ads.

Her opponent was Gwen Garcia. Gwen had all the advantages of logistics, organization, support of the Palace, and the strengths of incumbency. But Pam pulverized all the odds and came out prevailing with a stunning victory. All the mayors, except only Danao, were behind Garcia. All the members of the House of Representatives, seven representing the districts in the province, the party-list congressmen, and practically all the leading senatorial candidates all supported Gwen. But look at what happened.

In the 1st District, Pam buried Gwen in all the municipalities and cities despite the fact that Mayor Samsam Gullas and representative Rhea Gullas and all the mayors and all the vice mayors and members of the LGU councils all rallied behind Gwen. Pam garnered a whopping 290,224 to Gwen's only 99,869. Pam got 86,167 in Talisay City to Gwen's 31,976. Pam got 47,438 votes in the City of Naga to Gwen’s 19,347. In Carcar City, where both mayoral candidates were Gwen allies, Pam garnered 57,144 and Gwen only 14,597.

In Minglanilla, Pam won with 52,059 over Gwen's 12,706. In San Fernando, Pam was chosen by 31,040 vis-a-vis 12,706 who stayed with Gwen. In Sibonga, Pam had 16,406 to Gwen's 11,734. In the 2nd District, Pam's total votes were 91,935 while Gwen managed to get only 53,322. Gwen lost heavily to Pam in Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy, Boljoon, and Oslob. Gwen won by mere plurality of 800 votes in Santander and by less than 500 in Samboan.

In her own 3rd District, Gwen with only 119,233 lost to Pam with 152,136. Pam trounced Gwen in Toledo City with 59,204 to Gwen's 39,928. In Balamban, Gwen got only 13,848 while Pam had 27,435. Pam also won in Aloguinsan, Asturias, and Pinamungajan. Gwen won only in Barili but not convincingly, with 23,944 but Pam was not far behind with 20,501. In her other district, the seventh, Pam, with no strong local leader, got 70,969 and Gwen got 63,668. It was the leadership of Gungun Gica in Dumanjug that made Gwen win her dad's hometown.

But Pam won in six (Ronda, Alcantara, Moalboal, Badian, Alegria, and Ginatilan) of the eight towns in the seventh. Gwen only won in Dumanjug and Malabuyoc. Gwen won in the 4th District with a total of 141,313, but again, Pam was not far off, with 137,751. Pam managed to win in Medellin, Santa Fe, Tabogon, and Tabuelan. Pam even won in Frasco’s 5th District, her son-in-law could not make her win in that district. Pam won in Danao, Carmen, and Liloan (where Gwen's daughter used to be mayor). In Liloan, Pam got 39,322 while Gwen got only 29,789.

In the 6th District, Pam won overwhelmingly. Pam garnered 47,648 in Consolacion while Gwen got only 23,805. In Cordova, Pam dominated with 23,380 votes over Gwen's 16,890. If Pam could achieve that kind of convincing victory at a time when her opponent was the incumbent, how much more in 2028 when she controls the Capitol?

I never voted for Pam but I also never voted for Gwen although I consider her as a friend. But as an objective observer, I do believe that in 2028, Governor Pam Baricuatro has a much better chance to pull off a second vote of confidence.

The only one, if at all, who can give Pam a run for her money is former governor Junjun Davide. The other hopefuls should think of better things to do in 2028. They will eat the dust.