Weeks after losing gubernatorial ace: Gov. Garcia files protest

CEBU, Philippines — Outgoing Cebu Governor Gwendolyn “Gwen” Garcia has filed an electoral protest before the Commission on Elections (Comelec), contesting the results of more than 4,100 clustered precincts across the province following her defeat in the May 2025 midterm elections.

Garcia made the announcement on Tuesday, June 3, during a meeting with town and component city mayors at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, where she claimed the official results of the gubernatorial race “did not reflect the honest will of the people.”

In her statement, Garcia said she believes technical irregularities may have affected the vote count.

“We hope that the Comelec will act with dispatch on this electoral protest,” said Garcia.

Garcia lost to first-time candidate and political neophyte Pamela Baricuatro by more than 300,000 votes.

Baricuatro, a former flight attendant and founder of the Simply Share Foundation Inc. (SSFI), garnered over 1.1 million votes, while Garcia trailed behind with nearly 800,000.

Despite the wide margin, Garcia maintains something was amiss.

“Bisan ngadto sa kabukiran, daghan pa ang nangutana. ‘Dili mi katuo, ngano man to? Wala man mi kaila ana niya,’” she said, referring to reactions she reportedly heard from residents in far-flung areas of Cebu.

Garcia also claimed her team had gathered “technical and software proven evidence” that votes intended for her may have been misattributed to her opponent.

“The latest of which, there is now growing proof that the votes intended for Governor Gwen Garcia were credited to my opponent,” she asserted.

As a result, Garcia’s camp decided to contest the results in over 4,100 clustered precincts across the province. She assured her allies the move was not meant to place blame on them.

“To all the 50 mayors, I do not blame any of you,” Garcia said during the closed-door meeting.

“You had nothing to do with the election results, at least as far as the gubernatorial position is concerned,” she added.

In her statement to the mayors, Garcia encouraged them not to feel guilty or disheartened by her electoral defeat.

She also commended their efforts and integrity throughout her term.

“In all the years that we have worked together, I view all of you as upright, honest, principled ug adunay palabra de honor,” she pointed out.

Garcia expressed gratitude for the support she received during the campaign.

“I have felt the love of the Cebuanos and that love is real, and that love continues,” she said.

She further accused the winning camp of being insecure, citing what she called “continued, vicious attacks” against her on social media.

“There can be no other reason, except that they themselves are asking why they won — or perhaps they

know how they won,” she said.

Garcia recalled that following her victory in the 2019 elections, she chose to set aside political bitterness and focus on governance.

But this time, she said, the situation is different.

“They continue to train their attack dogs on me. They continue to justify their win,” she mentioned.

She added that immediately after her proclamation in 2019, there was no celebration in the social hall—no loud chanting or beating of drums—unlike during Baricuatro’s proclamation.

Meanwhile, Baricuatro’s camp expressed surprise over Garcia’s protest.

“We are yet to receive a copy of the electoral protest. And as soon as we secure the document, we will provide relevant comments,” said Atty. Edmund Lao, head of Baricuatro’s transition team.

Lao said it was surprising that Garcia’s camp chose to file an electoral protest, considering Baricuatro received 1.1 million votes from the Cebuanos.

PROTEST FILING EXPLAINED

In a separate interview, Comelec-7 Regional Director Atty. Francisco Pobe clarified that the protest will be handled in Manila, not at the regional level.

“Kung gubernatorial level, adto gyud na sa Comelec Manila through the Electoral Contests Adjudication Division,” he explained.

Pobe said electoral protests must be filed within 10 days after proclamation.

He noted that the filing cost would depend on the number of precincts contested, estimating the payment per precinct at around P20,000 to P25,000.

With over 4,100 precincts in question, Garcia’s camp could be required to pay as much as P100 million in filing fees alone.

Asked whether the protest would affect Baricuatro’s assumption of office on July 1, Pobe said it would not, unless a restraining order or other remedial action is issued.

“Wala na kay proklamado na siya,” Pobe furthered. — ATO (CEBU NEWS)