PBBM joins One Cebu People’s Rally, endorses ‘Alyansa’ Senate slate & local candidates

DUMANJUG, Cebu – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. joined One Cebu People’s Rally on May 5 with Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia promising to deliver a full resounding endorsement of all 11 senatorial candidates from the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas before the more than 4,000 crowd at the Dumanjug Sports Complex, Dumanjug town in Cebu.

“We are for unity, we are for progress because we are One Cebu, solid behind the duly elected president of the Republic of the Philippines who knows how to keep his words, who fulfills his promises—none other than President Ferdinand ‘BBM’ Marcos Jr.  This governor will remain steadfast and so will the entire leadership of this entire island in this united One Cebu,” said, in her opening message at the rally.

President Marcos and governor Garcia endorsed the following senatorial candidates-- Secretary Benhur Abalos, Makati Mayor Abby Binay, Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla, Sen. Pia Cayetano, former Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Sen. Lito Lapid, former Sen. Manny Pacquiao, former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino, ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo, and Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar.

Garcia, who seeks a final term as governor, asked the crowd to vote for her too and to also support the Alyansa senatorial candidates. “The solid Cebu vote is equivalent to 3.4 million votes. Let’s show what unity can achieve,” she added.

PBBM lauds Garcia’s One Cebu party, asks support for ‘Alyansa’ candidates 

“Alam niyo po parang nakikita po ninyo na sa aking mga pinupuntahan ang isa sa probinsya na siguro mas madalas pa ako dito kaysa sa Ilocos Norte ay dito sa probinsya ng Cebu. Pero ang katotohanan ay dahil nakikita ko dito sa Cebu ang aming layunin para sa buong Pilipinas– iyon ang pagkakaisa,” President Marcos told a jampacked sports complex.

Marcos then lauded governor Garcia for leading Cebu and making it the fastest growing economy in Central Visayas, and whenever the national government plans to do some projects, these are not possible without the close coordination with the local government.

“I tell you, that of all the 82 provinces in the country, one of the best persons to discuss with new program rollout is governor Gwen and Cebu is always ready. You cannot get better political advice than from Gov. Gwen. Kaya nakita naman ninyo naibuo niya ang probinsya ng Cebu sa ilalim ng One Cebu,” Marcos said.

Marcos said that the effect of unity translated to the 97.1 percent unemployment rate of Central Visayas. It means that here in Cebu, only 2.9 percent of people are looking for jobs. In 2023, Cebu registered the highest recorded economic growth with 5.7 percent.

“At umangat ang Gross Domestic Product ng 5.7 percent, mas mataas pa sa paglaki ng ekonomiya ng Pilipinas. Kaya’t talagang nangunguna lagi – nangunguna lagi ang Cebu. Nakamit ng Region 7 ang 7.3 percent na pagtaas ng ekonomiya,” the president bared.

Cebu’s GDP increased from P388B in 2022 to P411B in 2023, Marcos added that the 2024 economic figures are certainly higher because under the helm of governor Garcia, she is able to rally everyone to unite and help as One Cebu.

The President added that Filipinos must understand that unity is still important for a strong and formidable nation. Thus, continuity of all the programs in his administration is important and governor Garcia plays a crucial role in putting allied senators in the Senate, with Cebu having 3.70M registered voters.

Marcos then presented and endorsed each member of the ‘Alyansa’ senatorial slate. “Ipagsama na lang natin para tayong lahat ay magkaisa, magtulungan, imbes na nag-aaway tayo.” Kaya’ naman po ‘yan ang aming pinili. Kaya naman po ‘yan ang aking hinaharap po sa inyo,” he added.

The One Cebu People’s Rally ended with PBBM raising the hands of the ‘Alyansa’ senatorial candidates present—Benhur Abalos, Bong Revilla, represented by his wife Cong. Lani Mercado; and finally, all the local candidates from governor Garcia down to the mayors affiliated with One Cebu party. (Photos: MBCNewman)