Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (left), Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia (Facebook)

It was Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Panfilo "Ping" Lacson's turn to get the coveted endorsement of One Cebu party on Friday, April 11.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, the leader of One Cebu, raised Lacson's hand in a symbolic gesture during the second leg of the party's campaign caravan in the northern part of the province. 

"He is here, Senator Ping Lacson! Tabangan ta, padagon ta (Let's help him, let's make him win). Number 33 sa balota!" Garcia said, referring to the multi-time former senator. 

Cebu has the biggest voter population in the upcoming May 12 mid-term elections, with 3.7 million.

At another rally in Catmon later in the day, Lacson thanked Garcia for her endorsement of him as well as those of fellow Alyansa senatorial bets Tito Sotto and Manny Pacquiao.

"This is the high tide of my campaign not only Cebu but the whole of Central Visayas. With the endorsement you made earlier this afternoon, kumpleto ang araw naming tatlo. Rest assured if and when makabalik ako sa Senate, hindi ko makakalimutan ang araw na ito," Lacson said.

(This is the high tide of my campaign not only Cebu but the whole of Central Visayas. With the endorsement you made earlier this afternoon, you made our day. Rest assured if and when I return to the Senate I will never forget this day.)

Earlier, at the kickoff of the northern caravan in Liloan, Cebu, Lacson lauded the governor for her strong, no-nonsense and well-meaning leadership.

He cited Garcia's leadership that led to Cebu having a robust economy. Under Garcia, Cebu brought in $32.5 billion in revenue in 2023 and raised Cebu's gross domestic product (GDP) by six percent that same year.

"I have always been an admirer of strong, no-nonsense and benevolent or well-meaning leadership. Leaders whose mere presence commands attention and respect. Needless to say, I am a great fan of Gov Gwen Garcia. Not only because of her strong leadership but for bringing Cebu to where it is now," Lacson, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, said.