CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia has thrown her support behind Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, making the former senator as the only opposition candidate to receive her public endorsement for the 2025 midterm polls.

Garcia made the announcement late on May 6 during a meeting with barangay captains and mayors from Cebu’s fifth and sixth districts, a day before Pangilinan’s campaign rally at Plaza Independencia in Cebu City.

The endorsement came unexpectedly, as Garcia had earlier declared her support for 10 senatorial aspirants under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas during a campaign event in Dumanjug town.

At the time, she said her party, One Cebu, would back 11 candidates and hinted that the last spot would go to “a friend.”

That friend turned out to be Pangilinan.

“He really went out of his way to greet me and to say hello. ‘How are you? Give my regards to Pablo John (Garcia).’ I was so touched by that gesture,” Garcia said.

“Diyan mo talaga makikita kung anong klaseng tao siya," she said.

Garcia said her endorsement was based on longstanding personal ties and mutual respect, despite Pangilinan being outside the administration’s ticket.

Pangilinan, who ran for vice president in 2022, is widely known for his legislative work on agriculture, food security, and youth empowerment.

In a Facebook post the following day, Pangilinan expressed his gratitude.

“Lubos ang ating pasasalamat kay Gov. Gwen Garcia sa mainit na pagtanggap at pag-endorso sa atin sa mga mayor, board members, at barangay captains ng Cebu," he said.

With over 3.4 million registered voters, Cebu remains a crucial battleground. The support of Governor Garcia and the influential One Cebu party is seen as a key boost to Pangilinan’s campaign in the province and its highly urbanized cities, Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu.

One Cebu earlier endorsed the following administration-aligned senatorial bets: Benhur Abalos, Abigail Binay, Ping Lacson, Manny Pacquiao, Bong Revilla, Tito Sotto, Erwin Tulfo, Lito Lapid, Francis Tolentino, and Pia Cayetano.

Noticeably absent from Garcia’s endorsement list was Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, another member of the Alyansa slate.

Sen. Imee Marcos, meanwhile, has since left the coalition.(MyTVCebu)

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• #Gwendolyn Garcia
• #Endorsement
• #Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan
• #Senatorial Candidate
• #Cebu
• #One Cebu