Cebu Governor Challenges Midterm Election Results
CEBU CITY – Weeks after the midterm elections, outgoing Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia insists that the fight is far from over. Garcia confirmed on June 3 that she filed an electoral protest with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), disputing her defeat to new governor Pamela Baricuatro.
Garcia is contesting the reported results from over 4,000 clustered precincts across Cebu Province. Baricuatro secured about 1.1 million votes, while Garcia received just over 800,000. However, Garcia believes these figures do not reflect the true will of the Cebuano people.
“The result for the gubernatorial election in Cebu did not reflect the honest will of the people,” she said before a gathering of town mayors at the Cebu Provincial Capitol Social Hall.
Widespread Doubts in Remote Areas
Garcia shared that many residents, even in remote barangays, expressed disbelief over the election outcome. “Bisan ngadto sa kabukiran, daghan pa ang nangutana. ‘Dili mi katuo, ngano man to? Wala man mi kaila ana niya,’” she recalled, highlighting local skepticism about Baricuatro’s victory.
The protest was triggered by what Garcia’s team described as “technical and software-proven evidence” suggesting votes intended for her may have been wrongly credited to Baricuatro.
Strong Political Backing and Support
As the head of the influential One Cebu party, Garcia enjoyed backing from nearly all mayors in the province and was widely expected to win. Yet, she made it clear she does not hold these local leaders responsible for the election setback.
“First of all, I wish for you to know all the 50 mayors, we are 51, we must exclude one. But all of you 50 mayors, I do not blame any of you. I know that you did your best,” Garcia emphasized.
She added, “Ako ako mismo didto ko, didto ko sa katawhan. Nahibaw ko unsa ilang gi paminaw kanako, nakakita ko,” stressing her direct engagement with voters.
Hope for Swift Comelec Action
Garcia expressed hope that the Comelec would promptly act on her electoral protest.
“We hope that the Comelec will act with dispatch on this electoral protest,” she said.
Meanwhile, Baricuatro’s camp has yet to receive a copy of the protest. Atty. Edmund Lao, head of the transition team, said they will respond after reviewing the document.
Lao described the protest as surprising given Baricuatro’s decisive 1.1 million-vote mandate from Cebuanos. “It is surprising that such remedy is being availed by outgoing Governor Gwen Garcia’s camp,” he noted.
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