CEBU — Eight senatorial candidates running under the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate joined Governor and OneCebu party chair Gwen Garcia in 11 campaign stops dubbed as “suroy-suroy” through northern Cebu on Friday and Saturday.
The senatorial candidates – Abby Binay, Bong Revilla, Pia Cayetano, Ping Lacson, Manny Pacquiao, Tito Sotto, Francis Tolentino and Camille Villar, who are all backed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, were officially endorsed by Garcia along with OneCebu local candidates during the northern caravan, which started in Liloan and concluded in Bantayan Island on Day One and looped south towards Consolacion where the finale was held on Saturday night.
The suroy-suroy is a sequel to the caravan through southern Cebu also led by Garcia on March 28, the first day of the official campaign period for local office. The northern caravan through the vote-rich province completes OneCebu’s tradition of bringing candidates for senatorial seats to local communities to solidify voter support for both national and local candidates.
With over 3.4 million registered voters, Cebu remains a powerful electoral force. Alyansa’s presence here reflects its intensified efforts to solidify its Visayas base ahead of the May midterm elections.
Sotto, who has principally authored 259 laws, highlighted key legislation he championed for local development, including the calamity fund, family courts, the creation of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Mental Health Act, and the “Doktor Para sa Bayan” law.
The former Senate President vowed to push for the institutionalization of the 14th month pay and the criminalization of fake news.
“If we institutionalize the 14th month pay, it can be given during June when parents pay tuition. I will file this again in the Senate. But I can’t do this alone. That’s why I ask for the support of Cebu—Ako Bisaya,” Sotto said.
Lacson, meanwhile, heaped praise on Governor Garcia, calling her one of the most admired and influential leaders in the Visayas.
“I am a great fan of Governor Gwen Garcia—not only because of her strong leadership but for bringing Cebu to where it is now. Your gross domestic product in 2023 hit P411 billion, up by six percent. That alone deserves congratulations,” Lacson said.
A former senator and longtime fiscal watchdog, Lacson committed to augmenting the budget of the Department of Tourism (DOT) if re-elected, in support of Cebu’s booming tourism sector.
“If given the chance to return to the Senate, I’ll push for institutional amendments to strengthen the DOT’s budget. Cebu deserves continued support for tourism and development,” Lacson said.
Pacquiao, a former senator and globally renowned boxing champion, brought his message of hope and service to Cebu, as he emphasized his fight against poverty and corruption.
Deputy Speaker Villar reaffirmed her commitment to public service, focusing on support for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), job creation, and affordable housing.
“Nais ko pong ipagpatuloy ang mga nasimulan ng aking pamilya—ang pagtulong sa mga OFWs, ang pagbigay ng mas maraming trabaho at sapat na kita at siyempre, ang ating mura at libreng pabahay para sa lahat,” she said.
This was the second time Alyansa candidates have joined Governor Garcia’s “suroy-suroy,” following the March 27–29 leg in southern Cebu.
The unique campaign format—part heritage tour, part grassroots consultation—allows for direct, informal conversations with local leaders and citizens.
The Alyansa ticket also includes former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Senator Lito Lapid, and ACT-CIS Representative and former DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia Endorses Abby Binay for Senator
Senatorial candidate and Makati Mayor Abby Binay on Saturday earned a glowing endorsement from Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia during the One Cebu Northern Caravan and Proclamation of Candidates held at Compostela, Cebu.
Garcia urged her fellow Cebuanos to give their solid support to Binay, citing her proven track record as a Congresswoman and as Mayor of the country’s financial center.
“Let us help Abby Binay secure a seat in the Senate of the Republic of the Philippines. Under her leadership, the people of Makati greatly benefited from her transparent and sincere service,” Garcia said in Cebuano.
She also attested to Binay’s effectiveness as a legislator when they both served as House Representatives. She said she personally witnessed how hard Binay had worked in Congress, not only for the welfare of her Makati constituents, but for the entire nation.
Prior to her election as Mayor of Makati, Binay, a lawyer, had served for nine years as Representative of the 2nd District of Makati.
Garcia lauded Binay for making fellow women proud because of her distinctive leadership, calling her “small but terrible” with obvious reference to her height.
In response, Binay thanked the Governor and vowed to push for the replication of Makati’s social programs and smart innovations nationwide to promote a better life for all Filipinos, including Cebuanos.
“Kung ano po ang naibibigay namin sa Makati, nais kong magawa natin sa buong Pilipinas,” Binay said.
The senatorial bet reiterated her commitment to push for free access to maintenance medicines and better healthcare services being enjoyed by Makati residents. She also cited the urgent need to strengthen the educational foundation of the youth by giving greater focus on the daycare program.
Earlier, Binay also earned the endorsement of Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado and Poblacion Occidental Barangay Captain Allary Alegado during her visit to the municipality of Consolacion in Cebu on Saturday.
Binay’s other legislative priorities include increasing the takehome pay of government and private sector workers through tax exemptions on overtime pay and bonuses.
Ping Lacson Credits Gov. Gwen’s Good Governance for Cebu’s Unity and Growth
Former Senator and 2025 senatorial candidate Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson cited Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on Saturday evening for her leadership and good governance that led to not just Cebu’s economic growth but also its unity.
Lacson, whose senatorial bid Garcia endorsed on Friday, said it is rare that a leader like Governor Garcia and her One Cebu party can unite such a big province like Cebu.
“It is rare for leaders like Gov. Gwen to unite such a big province like Cebu,” he said in Filipino, to loud applause.
“A true leader unites, not divides. And that is the mark of Gov. Gwen Garcia,” he added.
Earlier, he noted that under Garcia’s watch, Cebu became the second largest hub for information technology and business process management, and experienced a six-percent growth in its GDP in 2023.
Also, Lacson lauded Garcia’s running mate, Board Member Glenn Anthony Soco, for sharing his advocacy to make sure the national budget is free from misuse and abuse.
“We must ensure the budget is properly crafted because it is the lifeblood of our economy, if not the nation. It gives us life, and if it is clogged, we are in trouble,” he said.
Lacson likewise cited Soco for sharing his advocacy to promote Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which comprise more than 99.5% of our enterprises and employ more than 66% of our labor force.
“So Vice Governor Glenn and I see eye to eye on this. In the future, we might both pursue the promotion of MSMEs because it is our passion and advocacy,” Lacson said.
For his part, Soco lauded Lacson for his track record as a lawmaker. “Sen. Ping Lacson is a true statesman,” he said.
Lacson is an adopted son of Cebu due to his exemplary track record against crime as well as his integrity as Cebu Metropolitan District Commander (Metrodiscom) from 1989 to 1992.
Upon the governor’s invitation, he took part in One Cebu’s northern caravan on Friday and Saturday.
Gov. Gwen Garcia Rallies Cebu for Pacquiao: “Let’s make Him No. 1 ”
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, during a recent proclamation rally in Bogo City, expressed strong support for senatorial candidate Manny Pacquiao, declaring the intention to make him the top senator in Cebu.
“Grabe iyang commitment kay nisaad siya nga mokuyog nasad ug usab motuyok sa round North, iya gyung tiwason nga walay kakapoy. Angay na siguro natong himoong number 1 nga senador diri sa atong lalawigan sa Sugbo” she said.
“Sobra ang kanyang dedikasyon dahil nangako siya na sasama at muling iikot sa round sa North, tatapusin niya ito nang walang pagod. Siguro dapat na talaga natin siyang gawing number 1 na senador dito sa ating lalawigan ng Cebu.”
The event, organized by the One Cebu party, marked a significant political gathering in northern Cebu.
Governor Garcia’s endorsement of Pacquiao underscores the influential backing he has received from local political figures.
The rally also highlighted the unity within the One Cebu party, especially following the reconciliation between the Garcia and Martinez families. This reconciliation was solidified when Bogo City officials, including Mayor Carlo Jose Martinez and Vice Mayor Maria Cielo “Mayel” Martinez, took their oaths of allegiance to One Cebu, ending a two-decade-long political feud .
The One Cebu party, led by Governor Garcia, has been instrumental in shaping Cebu’s political landscape. Formed in response to the Sugbuak movement, which aimed to divide Cebu into separate provinces, One Cebu has consistently advocated for unity and development within the province.
Manny Pacquiao’s participation in the rally and the strong endorsement from Governor Garcia and local officials , suggest a strategic alliance aimed at consolidating support in Cebu, one of the Philippines’ most vote-rich provinces.
This collaboration could significantly influence the upcoming senatorial elections, with Pacquiao poised to gain substantial support from Cebuano voters.
