A CEBUANA philanthropist and entrepreneur has officially entered the race for the top government position in Cebu Province where she will go up against incumbent Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.
Pamela Baricuatro filed her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, just hours after Garcia filed her own COC.
Baricuatro will be running under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino, the former ruling party under the tenure of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
She is known for her philanthropic work as the founder of the SimplyShare Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Cebu.
In addition to her philanthropic endeavors, Baricuatro has been actively involved in various socio-political movements, including the Save Cebu Movement.
During a press conference held by the Save Cebu Movement last year, the late public figure Rowena Burden announced that she would challenge Garcia for the gubernatorial seat.
However, Burden passed away in December 2023 due to a heart attack. Baricuatro appears to have stepped into the role of challenger following Burden's passing.
Baricuatro was joined by suspended Cebu City administrator Collin Russel and City Mayor Michael Rama, who is also seeking reelection despite facing a dismissal order from the Ombudsman.
Rama currently serves as Vice President for the Visayas of PDP.
Baricuatro is the third individual to file for the gubernatorial race, following 67-year-old former seafarer Valeriano Gingco of Carmen, who filed his candidacy on Friday, October 4.
When asked about her decision to run, Baricuatro declined to provide additional details, saying that her camp would hold a press conference soon to discuss her candidacy further.
She previously served as Secretary General of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, the national party of President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr.(MyTVCebu)