‘Salamat Sugbo’ thanksgiving, victory rally set June 29

Local

A THANKSGIVING and victory rally dubbed “Salamat Sugbo” will be held at the end of the month to celebrate the electoral victory of Cebu Governor-elect Pamela Baricuatro.

Organizers announced on Friday, June 13, that the rally on June 29, which will run from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., will feature a thanksgiving concert and is expected to draw at least 10,000 to 12,000 supporters.

The event is spearheaded by Duterte Diehard Supporters (DDS) head organizer Ian Gacrama, alongside co-lead organizers Jun Abines and Jocelyn Nacua.

Former Commission on Elections and Commission on Audit Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, a vocal critic of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, will attend as guest of honor.

“Salamat Sugbo” is being organized to not only thank supporters of Baricuatro but also to push for the group’s broader political advocacies as the governor-elect prepares to assume office.

The organizers said they are still processing permits for the venue, but a portion of Osmeña Boulevard fronting the Cebu Provincial Capitol is among the options.

They are also coordinating with volunteer performers who wish to participate in the event.

Gacrama urged Baricuatro’s supporters to join the rally and described the celebration as a “Thanksgiving Concert.”

Free t-shirt printing will also be offered during the event, featuring the design “#PeoplesGovernor.”

Abines said invitations have been sent to Vice President Sara Duterte and winning PDP-Laban senatorial candidates, although none have confirmed their attendance as of press time.

He noted that while the primary focus of the rally is to celebrate Baricuatro’s win, they will also raise calls for the dismissal of the impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Duterte.

The rally comes amid the transition process following Baricuatro’s upset victory over five-term incumbent Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia in the May 12 elections.

Baricuatro, a first-time gubernatorial candidate backed by the Duterte camp and PDP-Laban, won with 1,107,924 votes against Garcia’s 765,051.

She secured victories in 29 out of 51 cities and municipalities in Cebu, breaking the Garcia family’s long-standing political dominance in the province.

Analysts cited voter fatigue, Baricuatro’s grassroots campaign, and her alignment with the Dutertes as key factors in her win. The result came as a surprise to many, given Garcia’s political machinery and long history of electoral victories.

Garcia has filed an election protest before the Commission on Elections (Comelec), alleging irregularities in more than 4,100 clustered precincts.

Baricuatro’s camp is set to respond to the complaint by June 16.

Despite the pending protest, preparations for Baricuatro’s assumption of office on June 30 continue, with her supporters mobilizing for the upcoming rally to mark what they call a “people’s victory.”(MyTVCebu)