Guv Gwen throws full support to BBM, Alyansa bets

Local

CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on Monday, May 5, expressed full support for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and endorsed 10 senatorial candidates from the administration-allied Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate during the One Cebu People’s Rally at the Dumanjug Sports Complex.

Garcia announced the names of the senatorial bets backed by her local party, One Cebu, including Benhur Abalos, Abigail Binay, Ping Lacson, Manny Pacquiao, Bong Revilla, Tito Sotto, Erwin Tulfo, Lito Lapid, Francis Tolentino, and Pia Cayetano.

She clarified that One Cebu will endorse only 11 out of the 12 Alyansa candidates and said she would announce the 11th name soon, hinting that the individual is “a friend.”

The governor did not include Congresswoman Camille Villar in the list.

Meanwhile, Sen. Imee Marcos has already withdrawn from the Alyansa slate, further narrowing the administration coalition’s lineup.

During the rally, Garcia publicly declared unwavering support for the president, saying “This governor, this Dumanjuganon, 100 percent supports President Bongbong Marcos Jr.”

She called for adherence to public duty amid criticisms, stating that public officials must honor their oath of office despite political attacks.

“If we need to suffer, if we need to be humiliated because we stood by our oaths, then let it be so because we are Cebuano public officials,” she said.

President Marcos attended the rally and praised Garcia for uniting Cebu’s officials and preparing the province for major economic and infrastructure developments.

He highlighted Cebu’s rapid growth, crediting Garcia’s leadership for mobilizing mayors and stakeholders.

“Ang Cebu ay handa na dahil hinanda na ni Governor Gwen ang Cebu,” Marcos said, commending Garcia’s readiness to coordinate with national projects.

He emphasized Cebu’s 5.7 percent economic growth in 2023, which surpassed the national average, and cited the province’s GDP rise from P388 billion in 2022 to P411 billion in 2023.

Marcos also acknowledged Garcia’s swift implementation of the P20-per-kilo rice program ahead of the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) ban on government activities during the campaign period.

While other provinces were halted from launching the initiative starting May 2, Cebu managed to roll out the program on May 1.

Joining the president at the rally were Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Abalos, Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado, Cebu lawmakers, and mayors led by host Mayor Gungun Gica.

The rally drew thousands of supporters, showcasing One Cebu’s political strength and reinforcing Garcia’s influence as a key regional ally of the Marcos administration ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.(MyTVCebu)