'Excited' Guv Gwen looks forward to end of term

Local

AFTER more than two decades in politics, outgoing Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said she is ready to walk away from public office and finally focus on herself.

Garcia, who ends her term on June 30, 2025, shared her reflections during the tourism program R’Cebu Expo for the 3rd and 4th Districts at a mall in Cebu City on Friday, June 20.

As she prepares to step down, she admitted feeling ready to close this chapter of her life.

“I am just so excited nga mahuman ang akong pag-alagad sa Sugbo karong Hunyo 30,” she addressed in a speech.

“Kay sa labing unang higayon sukad 2004, makasugod na ko’g huna-huna alang sa akong kaugalingon,” she added.

The event served as one of Garcia’s final public appearances, capping a political career that began in 2004. She said it would be the first time in over 20 years she could focus on her personal life.

Garcia lost her reelection bid in May to Governor-elect Pamela Baricuatro, who defeated her by more than 300,000 votes.

The loss came amid mounting criticism over Capitol programs and spending priorities, including Garcia’s decision to establish trust funds for several flagship initiatives in the final weeks of her term.

While she avoided naming Baricuatro, Garcia delivered pointed remarks during her speech, defending the creation of the trust funds and hitting back at what she described as politically motivated rejection of existing programs.

She criticized officials who, according to her, oppose long-standing projects simply because they do not personally support them.

“This is not a fashion show or a TikTok show,” she said.

“This is not about how many likes or views your reels got. The real world is crisscrossing the entire province of Cebu, reaching the mountain barangays, and actually listening to the Cebuanos," she added.

Garcia said she moved to protect key programs by institutionalizing them through dedicated trust funds.

She cited legal authority under the Local Government Code, Commission on Audit (COA) circulars, and guidance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

With support from the Provincial Board, Garcia said the Capitol allocated trust funds for key programs such as Suroy Suroy Sugbo, Sugbo Negosyo, Sugbo Segurado, Sugbo Kahanas, Sugbo Patubig, Sugbo Kuryente, Sugbo Semento, and Sugbo Sentro.

She added that the funds also cover the Mactan-Cebu Bridge Management Board, Capitol Lot Sales Settlement Account, 20 percent Development Fund, Reforestation and Watershed Management Fund, and regulated tourism activities like canyoneering in Badian.

Baricuatro, in a public statement days earlier, slammed the move as a “blatant abuse of fiscal power” and a “last-minute attempt to manipulate the provincial budget.”

She claimed the trust fund allocations could limit her administration’s flexibility in redirecting resources toward basic services and development priorities.

Baricuatro said her transition team would review the memorandum and consider legal options, including revoking it entirely.

In response, Garcia argued that the trust funds aim to preserve programs that have received consistent budget support from the Capitol and benefited communities across the province.

While avoiding direct references to her successor, Garcia emphasized that public office demands more than just popularity or personal branding.

She reminded her fellow officials that governance is a responsibility given by the people and should not be shaped by self-interest.

Garcia also reiterated that Cebu was never hers to claim, saying the province belongs to the Cebuanos and should be respected as such, regardless of changes in leadership.

As transition tensions continue, Garcia has also filed an electoral protest before the Commission on Elections, questioning the results in more than 4,100 clustered precincts.

The camp of Baricuatro has asked the Comelec to dismiss the protest, calling it baseless.(MyTVCebu)