WHEN the clock struck 12 p.m. on Monday, June 30, 2025, politicians — veterans and neophytes — who won in the recent midterm elections officially assumed their posts.
In Cebu, the mayors of the “Big 3” cities are all new — Nestor Archival (Cebu City), Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano (Mandaue City) and Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” King-Chan (Lapu-Lapu City).
They have been politicians for quite some time, but it is their first time as mayors of the highly urbanized cities, which are the economic heartland of Metro Cebu.
Pamela Baricuatro, a former flight attendant, was sworn in as the second female governor of Cebu at noon on Monday.
In the run-up to the midterm elections, she challenged a formidable foe in former governor Gwendolyn Garcia.
Baricuatro emerged victorious in what many considered as an upset, marking her first stint in an elective government post.
The window during which the politicians can serve is short — just three years. All the victors in the midterm polls will need to perform at their best if they hope to improve their chances of winning a fresh term three years from now.
If they fail, voters know what to do. / KAL