CEBU Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has refuted some social media claims that “she has done nothing and she must be replaced,” highlighting her extensive contributions to the province as the May 12, 2025 midterm election draws closer.
Speaking at a proclamation rally held at the Panphil B. Frasco Memorial Sports Complex in Liloan town on Friday, April 11, Garcia responded to claims that she has done nothing for Cebu.
Liloan was the first stop in One Cebu Party’s northern Cebu campaign sorties.
Garcia was joined by vice gubernatorial candidate and Provincial Board Member Glenn Soco, Cebu Fifth District Representative Duke Frasco, his wife Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco and Ako Bisaya Partylist First Nominee Sonny Lagon and Second Nominee Carissa Garcia.
Senatorial candidates such as Panfilo Lacson, Manny Pacquiao, and Tito Sotto were also in attendance.
The slate planned a two-day motorcade and proclamation rally in the northern towns and cities, to reach as far as the island towns of Bantayan, Madridejos, and Santa Fe.
Achievements
Garcia told the crowd on Friday that her administration oversaw nearly 800 kilometers of road concreting projects in various barangays and remote areas in the province.
Other infrastructure projects include barangay hall renovations, covered courts and bridges construction, and the installation of solar lighting, all within the six years of her term since her return in 2019.
She said the projects were achieved despite Typhoon Odette’s devastation in December 2021 and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
“Look at the towns and cities. They look beautiful now,” Garcia said in Cebuano.
She also pointed out the quarterly Caravan of Services which she introduced that brought Capitol and the programs and services of other government agencies closer to towns and component cities.
Programs such as SugboNegosyo, Sugbo Kahanas, Sugbusog, and the Enhanced Countryside Development Program to aid small business owners, farmers, and fisherfolk were also introduced.
‘Lies’
Garcia said online trolls, fake accounts, and bots intentionally spread lies to malign her candidacy, adding that she would not be elected governor if people did not trust in her leadership.
She also criticized her challenger’s promise of a P500 monthly or P6,000 annual barangay health worker (BHW) honorarium.
Garcia countered that current BHWs receive P6,500 annually, and she planned to increase it to P7,500.
Garcia, who is seeking her third consecutive and possible sixth term as governor in over 20 years, is being challenged by Pamela Baricuatro, a philanthropist and former flight attendant endorsed by former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Vote-rich Cebu has over 3.7 million eligible registered voters, including those from the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue. / EHP