Guanzon: Result of midterm polls in Cebu a precursor to 2028 elections

Local

FOR former elections and audit commissioner Rowena Guanzon, the surprise victory of Cebu Governor-elect Pamela Baricuatro is more than a local political upset — it is a warning shot fired toward 2028.

She said this on Friday, June 13, during the press conference for Baricuatro’s upcoming thanksgiving rally.

Guanzon noted the defeat of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia despite full backing from national administration allies. This includes support from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., which speaks volumes about the political mood in the country’s most vote-rich province.

“What I really like is what I saw here in Cebu—this is still the protest capital of the country. Biruin mo, banggain ang Marcos-Romualdez dynasty,” Guanzon said.

Guanzon noted that candidates like Baricuatro still emerged victorious despite widespread distribution of congressional cash aid programs such as TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers), AICS (Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation), and AKAP (Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong) during the campaign period.

Guanzon said the win of Baricuatro is a clear sign that voters are not easily swayed by patronage politics and that grassroots organizing still holds power.

Baricuatro was supported by allies of former president Rodrigo Duterte and Partido Demokratriko Pilipino,

“But the Cebuanos defeated their candidate. That is a precursor to 2028,” Guanzon said.

“This is a long-term significance. This is one step away from 2028, and the Duterte groups are prepared to go head-on—together with Governor Pam—against whoever will be the Marcos-Romualdez dynasty candidate," she added.

Although not from Cebu, Guanzon said she had closely observed the province’s political developments.

She added she already met Baricuatro, who is her fellow graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Guanzon will be the guest of honor at Baricuatro’s “Salamat Sugbo” victory rally on June 29, a thanksgiving concert set to be held near the Cebu Provincial Capitol. Organizers expect around 10,000 to 12,000 supporters to attend.

She also addressed speculation that she had been tapped by Vice President Sara Duterte to become her spokesperson.

Guanzon clarified that while she would consider the role if offered, the Vice President currently does not require a spokesperson. This especially after the Senate returned the articles of impeachment against her to the House of Representatives.

In an earlier statement, Duterte denied any plan to appoint a spokesperson, but expressed her “salute” to Guanzon.

Baricuatro’s win in the May 12 polls dealt a blow to one of the most powerful political dynasties in the Visayas.

Garnering over 1.1 million votes, Baricuatro defeated Garcia by more than 300,000 votes.

The upset came despite Garcia’s long hold on the Capitol, her broad political machinery, and high-profile support from administration allies.(MyTVCebu)