(From left) Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, First Lady Liza Marcos, and Vice Governor Hilario Davide III during the handing of the copy of the Manifesto of Support at the Capitol on Monday, August 5. CDN Digital photo | Niña Mae Oliverio
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia has no plans of running for higher office amid speculations following the proposal to form the “One Visayas Bloc.”
During a press conference on Wednesday, August 7, Garcia welcomed the plans to establish “One Visayas Bloc,” a coalition of all governors in the Visayas region.
It was also revealed that Garcia was chosen to lead the party.
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However, on Wednesday’s presser, she clarified that this does not signify any intentions to run for higher office.
Garcia is currently holding her second term as governor of Cebu, the country’s most vote-rich province. She would be seeking reelection for her third and last term this 2025.
Meanwhile, the governor expressed optimism that the One Visayas Bloc would help boost the agenda of Visayan provinces — from infrastructure development to disaster mitigation.
“It will become a super entity that is concerned about uplifting people’s lives in the whole Visayas,” Garcia said.
The proposal to have the One Visayas Bloc first surfaced last Monday as the provincial government celebrated the 455th Founding Anniversary of Cebu province.
During that event, which was also attended by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, the governors from Visayas provinces, including Garcia, also signed a manifesto expressing their support towards the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Those in attendance included Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.; Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado; Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone; Siquijor Governor Jake Villa; Guimaras Governor Joaquin Carlos “JC” Nava; Aklan Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores; Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson; and Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado. / with reports from Nina Mae Oliverio