Solon steps down as One Cebu exec, maintains Isko support as party backs Bongbong

Cebu 3rd District Representative Pablo John Garcia on Tuesday said he was stepping down as One Cebu secretary-general following the party's endorsement of presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s candidacy.

Garcia, brother of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, added that he would continue to support the presidential bid of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.

"I have been officially informed that my party, One Cebu, has endorsed a candidate for President; a choice which, unfortunately, I cannot support," Garcia 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 the local party just as he hoped that it would also respect his choice on 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," Garcia said.

He disclosed that Congresswoman Lolypop Ouano-Dizon had been designated to take his place in the interim.

Garcia said Moreno's track record and brand of leadership best exemplified the ideals he saw in One Cebu's candidates for governor and vice-governor.

"I am not known to abandon a comrade-in-arms mid-battle. And I am not about to do so now, in the few years left of my political life," Garcia said.

"I assure my party-mates that I shall continue to work hard for the victory of all local candidates of One Cebu," he added.

The entire Cebu province has 3.2 million voters for Eleksyon 2022, of which, 713,074 are from Cebu City.

The Garcia-led One Cebu also endorsed the vice presidential bid of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. — DVM, GMA News