One Cebu also endorses cutie del mar: Gwen seeking another term

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is seeking a reelection for a sixth term in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections after being nominated as One Cebu Party’s standard bearer in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.

“As a standard bearer, she will carry this party to even greater heights of political victory,” said Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Allan Sesante in his motion nominating the incumbent governor.

Liloan Mayor Aljew Frasco seconded the nomination which was promptly closed by Pinamungajan Vice Mayor Glenn Baricuatro.

She was also reelected as the president of the One Cebu Party along with his brother Third District Rep. Pablo John “PJ” Garcia as secretary general.

“Allow me to thank the entire assembly of our One Cebu officials and members for having vested in me your trust and confidence to be your standard bearer and to lead our party in the coming 2025 elections to victory,” Garcia said in her speech during the One Cebu Party Convention yesterday, September 30.

"I thank you also for nominating me as the only candidate of One Cebu to run for the highest position of the Province of Cebu to once again run as governor of this number one province in the country, and I accept your nomination with pride and humility,” she added.

The convention gathered together the ranking members of One Cebu Party, which include 52 of the 53 LGU mayors; 11 out of 12 congressmen; all of the provincial board members; and the majority of all municipal and city councilors from all over the province as well as in the highly urbanized cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue.

The governor stressed that Cebu is “stronger than ever” in the national scene expressing how unity strengthened their party.

“Lig-on ug tungod niini atong kalig-on gipaminaw ta sa pangagamhanang nasyonal. Sa kanunay salamat sa administrasyon ni Presidente Bongbong Marcos kanunay ila gayud ta’ng gitagaan og respeto unsa may baruganan sa One Cebu,” said Garcia.

“I hope this unity will continue that the One Cebu Party will continue to be as strong as ever before for Cebu’s good, for Cebuanos’ good,” she added.

The governor likewise assured that all members of the party who will run for their respective towns and cities are entitled of the support One Cebu can give.

“I know that it is going to be a rigorous campaign, remember this moment…manag-atbang man kamo didto na sa tagsa-tagsa ninyong lungsod, dakbayan, o distrito, hinumdumi nga kita, kitang tanan, mituo ug mupadayon sa pagtuo sa kahiusahan sa Sugbo, ug karong hapona nibarog sa atong Partido,” Garcia added.

Congressional Bets

Albeit no announcement of her runningmate yet, but the party already bared its official lineup of candidates for the House of Representatives. They are incumbent First District Rep. Rhea Mae Gullas; incumbent Second District Rep. Edsel Galeos; incumbent Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia; incumbent Fourth District Rep. Janice Salimbangon; incumbent Fifth District Rep. and Deputy Speaker Vincent “Duke” Frasco; incumbent Sixth District Rep. Daphne Lagon; Mandaue City Lone District Rep. Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon; and Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Rep. Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” King Chan.

One Cebu Party also bannered the first-timer for public service, Dr. Patricia Calderon for the Seventh District. And for the first time, One Cebu Party has endorsed a candidate in Cebu City--incumbent Cebu City North District Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar. The party has also endorsed Ako Bisaya Partylist wherein the governor’s youngest daughter, Carissa Garcia, will be its second nominee along with Rep. Sonny Lagon.

The governor said her runningmate will be known by October 8, 2024, the last day of the filing of COC.

Alliances

Meanwhile, One Cebu Party signed an alliance with Kugi Uswag Sugbo (KUSUG) Party, led by its president, acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin N. Garcia; Alayon-Nacionalista (NP) Party, led by Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas; and KAABAG Party, led by Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan.

The four political parties in the island signed the agreement in front of at least 1,000 attendees of the convention.

In the agreement, the parties have expressed their intent to collaborate in pursuit of shared goals for the upcoming elections. This collaboration is primarily aimed at promoting and advancing the common objectives of the parties through a unified approach ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.

The cooperation was also supported by suspended Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes whose reelection bid is expected to be challenged by One Cebu Party member and incumbent Provincial Board Member Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano.

“On behalf of KAABAG Mandaue, I would like to manifest that we will continue to move with pride to align our efforts with the collective aspirations of One Cebu and that a motion,” said Cortes. — (FREEMAN)