Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia on Friday endorsed four candidates from the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, giving the administration-backed Senate slate a significant lift in one of the country’s most vote-rich provinces ahead of the May midterm elections.
The endorsed candidates—reelectionist Senators Ramon Bong Revilla and Francis Tolentino, former Senator Manny Pacquiao, and former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos—joined Garcia and local candidates from the One Cebu Party in a day-long motorcade and proclamation rally that passed through 18 towns in Cebu.
Cebu, with over 3.4 million registered voters, including those from the highly urbanized cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue, is a perennial battleground in Philippine elections and has historically delivered large margins for nationally endorsed candidates.
The endorsement of Garcia—widely regarded as one of the most influential political leaders in the Visayas—is expected to boost Alyansa’s visibility and voter reach in the region. Her support, alongside the political machinery of One Cebu, signals strong provincial backing for the slate.
Abalos, who also served as chair of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and mayor of Mandaluyong City, expressed deep appreciation for Garcia’s support and hailed Cebu as a key driver of national development.
“Cebu is one of the most progressive provinces in the whole country. It is an economic driver in all aspects of performance—parating andiyan po ang Cebu,” Abalos said.
Revilla, Tolentino, and Pacquiao also engaged with local residents during the caravan, sharing their legislative priorities and reaffirming their alignment with Alyansa’s platform of reform, inclusive development, and good governance.
The Alyansa ticket also includes Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, Senator Pia Cayetano, former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Senator Lito Lapid, former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, ACT-CIS Representative and former Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo, and Deputy Speaker Camille Villar.