2025 ELECTION: ‘Team Liberate Cebu’ formed to go up against powerhouse ‘One Cebu’

Local

A NEW political coalition has been formed to challenge the dominance of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and her One Cebu Party in the 2025 elections.

Named "Team Liberate Cebu," this opposition group is led by dismissed Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, who was permanently disqualified from holding public office by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Despite his legal setbacks, Rama remains at the forefront of the political scene, advocating for change in Cebu.

Various political figures from Cebu and Bohol, including gubernatorial candidate Pamela Baricuatro and former Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, announced their alliance on Thursday, October 10, under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) banner.

Rama, who serves as PDP's Vice President for the Visayas, emphasized that their coalition aims to promote inclusive governance.

“This is not about one person. Governance should come from the grassroots,” he said.

Baricuatro, in an interview, described her bid for the governorship as a "social revolt," driven by her desire to empower the people, rather than political ambition.

“This isn’t a political fight, it’s about giving the people a real choice,” she said, adding that Garcia’s wealth and influence make the fight challenging but necessary.

The coalition also includes mayoral aspirants such as Blessilda Villo from Consolacion, alongside other candidates from towns and cities across Cebu and Bohol.

Rama, authorized to issue Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) for PDP candidates in both provinces, expressed hope that the influential Durano family from Cebu’s 5th District would join their movement.

The alliance reflects a growing political division, fueled by the longstanding tensions between Rama and Garcia.

Their relationship deteriorated earlier this year due to disagreements over the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project. Rama filed an administrative case against Garcia, accusing her of abuse of authority, which ultimately led to Garcia's resignation from PDP and a deeper split between the two.

Despite being dismissed from public service by the Ombudsman for nepotism and grave misconduct, Rama has vowed to push ahead with his reelection bid for Cebu City mayor in 2025.

“No one can stop me from running, except death,” he declared during the PDP assembly.(MyTVCebu)