ONE CEBU FOR MARCOS. Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia endorses the candidacies of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte for president and vice president, respectively, in this undated photo posted on Duterte's social media page and shared by her spokesperson Liloan, Cebu Mayor Christina Garcia-Frasco. The Garcia-led One Cebu, the dominant party in vote-rich Cebu province, on Tuesday (April 12, 2022) formally announced its support for the BBM-Sara tandem. (Photo from Mayor Sara Z. Duterte's Facebook page)
CEBU CITY – The leading political party in the vote-rich Cebu province led by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia is endorsing presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (BBM) for the May 9 national elections.
Garcia announced One Cebu’s support for Marcos shortly before its general assembly in this city on Tuesday where the latter, together with his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, were expected to attend.
“The decision follows weeks of extensive consultations and discussions with provincial, municipal and barangay leaders in the 44 municipalities and seven cities (including Mandaue City) of the Province of Cebu,” Garcia said in a statement.
According to the governor, the party “considered the different opinions of party leaders advocating the causes of different presidential candidates.”
Party leaders, she said, agreed that the interests of the Cebuanos, the unity and strength of One Cebu as well as their ability to serve their constituents “are best served if we unite behind the leadership of BBM as President.”
Garcia said they will formally endorse Marcos during the party’s general assembly at the SM Seaside City here.
Duterte, in a statement posted on social media, thanked One Cebu for its support to the UniTeam.
"Daghang salamat Gov. Gwen at One Cebu sa inyong pag-endorso at suporta sa amin ni BBM at buong UniTeam. Makakaasa po ang lahat ng Cebuano sa tapat na paglilingkod, at walang pagod na pagtulong para sa lahat lalo na ang maliliit. Mahalin natin ang ating Pilipinas (Thank you very much, Gov. Gwen and One Cebu for your endorsement and support for me, BBM and the entire UniTeam. Cebuanos are rest assured of our faithful service and tireless help, especially for the poor. Let us love our Philippines)," Mayor Duterte said.
One Cebu first formally announced in February its support to the vice presidential bid of Duterte.
House Deputy Speaker and Cebu’s 3rd District Rep. Pablo John Garcia made the announcement, saying “the party had always been for Mayor Sara as vice president the moment she substituted as candidate for vice president”.
The province, including its independent cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, is the most vote-rich province in the country with over 3.2 million registered voters for the upcoming national and local elections, the Commission on Elections said.
Pablo John, the secretary general of One Cebu, is openly supporting the presidential bid of Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso while his niece, the governor’s daughter Liloan Mayor Christina Garcia Frasco, is openly supporting the Marcos-Duterte tandem and served as Duterte’s spokesperson. (PNA)
