The Partido Democrata Cebu in the 1928 elections

The rival political party of the "Nacionalista" led by Don Sergio Osmeña was the Partido Democrata. Its national leaders were Senators Juan Sumulong, Claro M. Recto, and Emiliano Tirona.

In Cebu, in preparation for the June 25, 1928 elections (by virtue of the Philippine Organic Act of 1902, requiring elections every three years), the Democrata Cebu had a provincial convention. This was held on May 6, 1928. It was held at the Cine Ideal, presiding the convention was Nicolas Rafols of the old 6th District of Cebu.

In that convention, Cecilio dela Victoria (who became councilor and vice mayor of Cebu City after World War II) was chosen as candidate for governor of Cebu). The following were the candidates for the congressional districts (at that time Cebu was divided into seven districts):

1st District:   Margarito Revilles (was defeated  by Manuel C. Briones.)

2nd District: Vicente Pelaez (was defeated by  Sotero B. Cabahug, who later  became governor of Cebu and  built the Capitol).

3rd District:  Vicente Rama (defeated by  Maximino Noel, in the following elections, Vicente Rama  reclaimed the district).

4th District:  Casiano Carin (defeated by Juan Alcazaren).

5th District:  Jose Espina (defeated by Tomas  Alonso, son of Don Eugenio  Alonso, the Father of Asturias).

6th District:  Nicolas Rafols (the only winner of the Democrata in that election).

7th District:  Roque Desquitado (who withdrew, the winner was Paulino Ybañez)

The candidate for governor was Filemon Yap Sotto as Cecilio dela Victoria was asked to give way. Don Filemon lost to Mariano Jesus Cuenco, while the younger brother of the former, Don Vicente lost to Don Sergio Osmeña in the contest for the senatorial position of the 10th District.  The final tally was: Osmeña with 31,892 votes as against Sotto's 23,646 votes. In that election the Nacionalista's soundly defeated the Partido Democrata. The defeat was not only in Cebu but in the entire country, as all the winning twelve Senators were from Nacionalista. From 1916 to 1935, the country was divided into twelve senatorial districts, electing twelve senators every election.

The country was likewise divided into 87 congressional districts, with Cebu having one of the most numbers of representatives. In the election in 1928, only 17 were Democratas, while the other 70 were from the Nacionalista Party.