Garcia's One Cebu endorses presidential bid of Bongbong Marcos

Garcia-led One Cebu Party on Tuesday announced its formal endorsement of the presidential candidacy of former senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia confirmed this to GMA News Online.

In a separate statement, the local party said the decision came after weeks of extensive consultations and discussions among provincial, municipal, and barangay leaders in Cebu province.

"We considered the differing opinions of party leaders advocating the causes of different presidential candidates, and have determined that the unity and strength of One Cebu, and its ability to serve its constituents in the Province of Cebu, and ultimately, the interests of the Cebuanos are best served if we unite behind the leadership of BBM as president, and as we have earlier announced, Mayor Sara Duterte as vice president," it said. 

Bongbong, Sara welcome endorsement

Garcia raised the hands of Marcos and Duterte during their appearance at the One Cebu general assembly in Cebu City on Tuesday afternoon.

In his speech during the assembly, Marcos said the local party's endorsement was a significant development for their campaign.

He recalled that he teased Garcia that they would not leave the province without getting the support of One Cebu. 

"The importance of the events that we have undertaken here today cannot be overstated...," Marcos said.

"In fact, after we came down from the stage after signing the different resolutions... I whispered to the (House) Majority Floor Leader (Martin Romualdez), I said sumama sa atin yung One Cebu, sumama sa atin 'yung Cebu Island may pag asa na tayong manalo," he added.

(In fact, after we came down from the stage after signing the different resolutions...I whispered to the Majority Floor Leader that One Cebu joined us. Cebu Island is now with us, so we have a chance to win.)

Marcos' spokesperson, Attorney Vic Rodriguez, said they are humbled by the endorsement as it confirms that the camp's call for national unity is taking root in the hearts of the majority of Filipinos.

"Not only shall we remain humble, but we shall also remain alert until every Filipino has heard and realized that our message of unity is the crucial first step to heal, recover, and rebound from the damages the COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted on the nation," Rodriguez said. 

In a statement, Duterte expressed gratitude to Garcia and One Cebu. 

"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. Mahalin natin ang ating Pilipinas!" she said in a statement. 

(Thank you so much, Governor Gwen and One Cebu, for your endorsement and support for BBM, me and the whole UniTeam. Rest assured that Cebuanos can expect honest service and our tireless support. Let us love the Philippines!)

In her speech, the mayor said "the unity between One Cebu and the UniTeam of Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte is one of the positive signs that I will personally hold on to until we reach victory—that we will be able to realize our dreams for the Filipinos and our beloved country."

Pablo John Garcia quits as One Cebu secretary general

Meanwhile, Cebu 3rd District Representative Pablo John Garcia, the governor's brother, resigned as secretary general of One Cebu. 

He has been outspoken in his support for Manila Mayor Isko Moreno's presidential bid.

"I have been officially informed that my party, One Cebu, has endorsed a candidate for President; a choice which, unfortunately, I cannot support," the lawmaker said in a statement posted on Facebook.

"From the start, I have been clear and consistent about my support for Mayor Isko Moreno's candidacy for President, believing that he is, among the many choices, the most capable and best prepared to lead the country out of this many-pronged crisis that it now faces, and into the future," he added. 

The lawmaker said he respected the decision of One Cebu just as he hoped that it would also respect his choice of who to support in the coming elections.

"As I intend to continue actively campaigning for Mayor Isko in the remaining days of the campaign, I am stepping down as Secretary General of One Cebu in order to avoid any conflict of interest," he added. 

He said that Cebu's 6th District Representative, Emmarie "Lolypop" Ouano-Dizon, has been designated to take his place in the meantime.

The entire Cebu province has 3.2 million voters for Eleksyon 2022, of which 713,074 are from Cebu City. —AOL/VBL, GMA News