Pam welcomes more names floated for Governor

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro welcomed the growing number of personalities being linked to the province’s 2028 gubernatorial race but remained uncertain about her political plans.

Baricuatro said her priority remained serving the Cebuanos rather than securing a political position.

“I welcome it. At least ang mga tao sa probinsiya, they have more options this time and naa silay choices kung kinsa ilang gusto pilion,” Baricuatro told the media yesterday.

She said the people would ultimately determine whether she had performed well enough to deserve their support in 2028.

“So they will decide in 2028 if I did right,” she said.

Baricuatro stressed that her focus was on public service, not on pursuing another position, amid early discussions about possible contenders for the province’s top elective post.

“As far as I’m concerned, I am not seeking for position. I seek to serve the Cebuano people,” she said.

“Gusto nako mo serbisyo sa katawhan… it’s not about position, it’s about service,” she added.

Although Baricuatro did not categorically announce her plans for the 2028 elections, she said serving the public remained central to how she viewed the upcoming political contest.

“That’s really something that I’ve been thinking about, nu, come in 2028. Gusto nako mo serbisyo sa katawhan,” she said.

Baricuatro’s comments come as several political figures have been mentioned in discussions about who could challenge her or seek to succeed her in the next gubernatorial race.

Former Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Ako Bisaya party-list Representative Sonny Lagon, Cebu 5th District Representative Duke Frasco, and former Cebu 3rd District Representative Pablo John “PJ” Garcia are among the names being floated.

PJ Garcia has acknowledged that he is seriously considering a gubernatorial run in 2028.

Reports have also linked Gwendolyn Garcia to a possible endorsement of Lagon, although PJ Garcia said he had not independently confirmed the reports.

In an earlier interview on vlogger Jason Monteclar’s Facebook page, PJ Garcia discussed his political plans alongside proposals for tax and construction-related measures that he said could help ease the effects of rising prices on Cebuanos.

Frasco, meanwhile, has also been mentioned as a potential contender for the governorship, although he has not formally declared his candidacy for the position.

Cebu Vice Governor Glenn Soco has taken a more cautious stance on discussing the next elections, saying it remains too early to make political plans public.

“Layo pa man gud. Dugay pa gyud. Magpadayon lang sa gyud ta sa pagpanerbisyo kay mao man nay importante,” Soco said on Monday when asked about his plans for 2028.

Soco said he wanted to concentrate on his current responsibilities, including public service and the approval of the 2027 provincial budget. — /IHM (FREEMAN)