PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. endorsed reelectionist Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and other One Cebu Party candidates during a rally in Dumanjug town on Monday, May 5, 2025, a week before the midterm polls.
The governor, for her part, endorsed the administration’s senatorial bets under Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas and reaffirmed her support for the President.
Marcos, in his speech, urged voters in Cebu to support the Alyansa ticket to ensure the continuation of his administration’s programs.
The President stressed the importance of unity with the Senate to facilitate legislative support for his agenda.
“In this election, you will instruct us if we will continue what we’re doing or if we need to change our direction,” he said.
Marcos also supported other One Cebu candidates, including vice-gubernatorial candidate Glenn Soco, Fifth District Rep. Duke Frasco, Sixth District Rep. Daphne Lagon, Ako Bisaya Party-list Rep. Sonny Lagon and Carissa Garcia, Ako Bisaya’s second nominee.
During the rally, Garcia notably endorsed ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, despite tensions with Tulfo’s brother, Sen. Raffy Tulfo, who has raised concerns about the absence of free restrooms within the Cebu North Bus Terminal in Cebu City.
The governor said she supports Erwin, citing her belief in his readiness to defend Cebu, and acknowledged that the brothers hold differing views.
Garcia also said One Cebu supports for the candidacies of Benhur Abalos, Abby Binay, Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., Sen. Pia Cayetano, Panfilo Lacson, Lito Lapid, Manny Pacquiao, Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Francis Tolentino.
Marcos endorsed the same senatorial candidates but did not mention Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, daughter of businessman Manny Villar.
This omission came after Marcos ordered an investigation into the Villar family’s utility firm, PrimeWater, due to consumer complaints.
Villar had received recent endorsements from Vice President Sara Duterte and Sen. Imee Marcos.
Among the endorsed 11 senatorial candidates, only Abalos was present at the rally. Ramon Revilla Jr. was represented by his wife, Lani Mercado-Revilla, the representative of Cavite’s Second District. / EHP