CEBU CITY – While there were expected maneuverings, twists and surprises sprung up during the final day of the filing of Certificates of Candidacy in the province of Cebu on Tuesday, October 8.
CEBU Gov. Gwen Garcia, who is seeking reelection, and her running mate, provincial board member Glenn Soco, flash the One Cebu party sign after filing their Certificates of Candidacies on Tuesday, October 8. (Sugbo News)
Reelectionist Gov. Gwen Garcia of the dominant One Cebu party filed her COC as expected but she is challenged by two individuals – philanthropist and businesswoman Pamela Baricuatro who submitted her candidacy hours after Garcia and Valeriano Gingco, a 67-year-old retired seaman, who turned in his COC on Saturday, October 5.
Garcia had no running mate before she filed her candidacy. Less than an hour later, Provincial Board Member Glenn Soco appeared and filed his COC for vice governor, becoming Garcia’s running mate.
Soco was expected to seek reelection and his decision caught everyone by surprise.
Vice Gov. Junjun Davide is not seeking reelection as he decided to run for congressman in the province second district.
Soco is up against former Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Lito Ruiz who filed his candidacy at around 3 p.m. Ruiz is the ex-husband of Mandaue City Vice Mayor and former Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz.
Also pulling off a surprise move was Cebu third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia who withdrew his unopposed reelection bid and was replaced by his wife, Karen Hope Flores-Garcia.
A big surprise also happened in Lapu-Lapu City after Mayor Junard Chan filed his COC for the city’s lone seat in the House of Representatives currently occupied by his wife Cindi.
Cindi filed a candidacy for mayor, setting up an all-female showdown against former Mayor Paz Radaza. Junard is up against Ryan Yuson, who is part of Radaza’s slate.
In Cebu City, acting Mayor Raymond Garcia filed a COC for mayor with running mate former Metropolitan Cebu Water District Joey Daluz.
Daluz running as vice mayor was unexpected as there were indications that he would run for mayor.
Garcia faces dismissed Mayor Michael Rama, former Customs Commissioner Yogi Ruiz, and Councilor Nestor Archival.
Daluz goes up against former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Vice Mayor Dondon Hontiveros.
In Danao City, Migs Magpale filed his COC for mayor, going up against a member of the influential Durano clan. Magpale used to be a member of the Durano-led Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya.
The Duranos are archrivals of the Garcias. Magpale’s mother Agnes ran for governor but lost to Gov. Gwen Garcia in 2019.
Migs said his candidacy for mayor does not have his mother’s blessings.
Another member of the Durano clan, actor DJ Durano, filed his COC for mayor in Sogod town.