Politics was the topic, but former Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia wanted the conversation elsewhere — away from endorsements, alliances, and the 2028 elections, and toward what she described as the more urgent needs of struggling Cebuanos.
In a statement released Tuesday, May 20, Garcia denied speculation linking her to possible political endorsements and plans for the next election cycle, saying she is “not leaning toward supporting any individual interested in running for any position.”
“I likewise have no political plans to announce, whether for myself or for anybody else,” Garcia said.
The statement marked Garcia’s most direct response yet to rumors surrounding her political future following her defeat in the 2025 gubernatorial race against incumbent Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro.
Garcia, a longtime leader of One Cebu and one of Cebu’s most influential political figures, lost to Baricuatro by more than 342,000 votes in what many considered a major political upset.
Following the elections, Garcia filed an election protest before the Commission on Elections, alleging fraud, machine irregularities, and technical anomalies during the May 12, 2025 polls.
But the Comelec First Division dismissed the protest in a 24-page order dated Nov. 24, 2025, citing “insufficiency in form and content.”
The poll body said Garcia failed to provide detailed and specific allegations of fraud and irregularities in the contested precincts.
It also ruled that technical incidents involving automated counting machines did not automatically constitute proof of fraud.
The division further noted that even if all alleged overvoted ballots were credited to Garcia, the votes would still fail to overturn Baricuatro’s lead.
Amid continued speculation about a possible political comeback in 2028, Garcia said she would instead focus on assisting residents affected by economic and political difficulties.
“There are more urgent matters that require our attention and energy. Right now, I believe my focus should be on how I may be able extend assistance to those in need during these times of crises, economic and political,” she said.
“Politics can wait. Responding to the needs of our fellow Cebuanos cannot.”
Photo courtesy of Gwen Garcia / Facebook
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