One Cebu backs Alyansa senatorial bets

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn "Gwen'' Garcia endorsed Monday most of the administration-backed senatorial candidates in the upcoming midterm polls.

In her speech at the One Cebu rally that was graced by President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr., Garcia mentioned the names of Panfilo ''Ping'' Lacson, Vicente Sotto III, Manny Pacquiao, Benhur Abalos, Francis Tolentino, Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla Jr., Pia Cayetano, and Erwin Tulfo.

Garcia urged Cebu's more than 3.4 million voters to deliver a solid vote for the administration's senatorial slate.

''This governor will remain steadfast and so will the entire leadership of this entire island in this united One Cebu,'' Garcia said.

''We are for unity, we are for progress because we are One Cebu, solid behind the duly elected president of the Republic of the Philippines who knows how to keep his words, who fulfills his promises—none other than President Ferdinand ‘BBM’ Marcos Jr,'' she added.

Weeks ago, Abby Binay also obtained the endorsement of Garcia for her senatorial bid in Eleksyon 2025.

To recall, Garcia's One Cebu had endorsed the presidential bid of Marcos in 2022. 

Marcos for Gwen

At the same event, Marcos also endorsed the candidacy of Garcia, raising her hands during a rally of On Cebu in Dumanjug.

''Sa aking palagay, ang karamihan ng Pilipino ay nakakaunawa na ‘yung pagkakaisa pa rin ang napakaimportante para tayo ay maging malakas at masigasig at ligtas na lipunan. Kaya po mahalaga dito na maituloy namin ang aming gustong gawin dahil nandiyan pa rin si Governor Gwen,'' he said.

(I think most Filipinos understand that unity is still important so we could ensure a secured and orderly society. It's important that we continue what we want to do because Governor Gwen is still here.)

The Office of the Ombudsman earlier placed Garcia under preventive suspension for six months without pay over alleged grave abuse of authority, among others, due to issuance of a special permit to a construction company without lawful basis.

Garcia said she is not stepping down, claiming that the preventive suspension has no basis.

Malacañang assured the public that Marcos would not intervene in the preventive suspension issued against Garcia.

Marcos, however, stressed before that Garcia should be treated fairly amid allegations thrown against her. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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