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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Garcia files electoral protest

Garcia files electoral protest

Published Jun 3, 2025 07:52 pm
GARCIA (right). (FB)
GARCIA (right). (FB)

CEBU CITY–It’s been weeks since the midterm election was held but as far as outgoing Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn is concerned, the fight is not over yet.

Garcia on Tuesday, June 3, confirmed that she filed an electoral protest before the  Commission on Elections (Comelec) to contest her loss to neophyte Pamela Baricuatro.

Speaking before town mayors in Cebu at the Capitol Social Hall, Garcia said she is contesting the outcome of over 4,000 clustered precincts across the province.

Baricuatro received 1.1 million votes while Garcia only got over 800,000 votes.

Garcia said the results of the election did not reflect the real sentiment of the people.

“The result for the gubernatorial election in Cebu did not reflect the honest will of the people.”

Garcia said there has been widespread disbelief in various parts of Cebu, including far-flung barangays, over the result of the election.

“Bisan ngadto sa kabukiran, daghan pa ang nangutana. ‘Dili mi katuo, ngano man to? Wala man mi kaila ana niya (Even in mountain barangays, a lot are asking: “We cannot believe it (election results). We do not know her (Baritcuatro)”,’” Garcia said. 

Garcia said the filing of the protest was prompted by her team’s discovery of “technical and software-proven evidence” indicating that some votes intended for her may have been misattributed to Baricuatro.

As head of the powerhouse One Cebu party, Garcia has the backing of almost all mayors in Cebu and was heavily favored to win over Baricuatro.

Garcia emphasized that she is not blaming the mayors for her debacle.

“First of all, I wish for you to know all the 50 mayors, we are 51, we must exclude one. But all of you 50 mayors, I do not blame any of you. I know that you did your best,” Garcia said.

“I know that you did your best... Ako ako mismo didto ko, didto ko sa katawhan. Nahibaw ko unsa ilang gi paminaw kanako, nakakita ko," she added.

Garcia said she is hoping that her protest will be acted upon swifty by the Comelec.

“We hope that the Comelec will act with dispatch on this electoral protest,” Garcia said at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

Baricuatro’s camp said they have yet to receive a copy of Garcia’s protest.

“We are yet to receive a copy of the electoral protest. And as soon as we secure the document, we will provide relevant comments,” said Atty. Edmund Lao, head of the Baricuatro's transition team. 

Lao described Garcia’s move as surprising.

“It is surprising that such remedy is being availed by outgoing Governor Gwen Garcia’s camp considering that Governor-elect Pam Baricuatro received an overwhelming 1.1 million mandate from the Cebuanos," Lao said.(Calvin D. Cordova)

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