Nestor Archival, Cebu City’s new mayor

CEBU CITY – The Commission on Election (COMELEC) through the Board of Canvassers (BOC) proclaimed Engr. Nestor Archival, Sr. and Tomas Osmena as the new mayor and vice-mayor of Cebu City respectively on May 13 at the Cebu City Hall Social Hall with Archival garnering 256,197 and Osmena with 233,906 votes.

Archival’s votes surpassed his opponents, outgoing Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia and aspirant Yogi Ruiz, who conceded and congratulated him, few hours after 84.52 percent voter turnout, with 606,789 out of 721,469 registered voters casting their ballots and completed the canvassing of all 790 clustered precincts in Cebu City.

In a press conference after the proclamation, Archival vowed to implement free hospitalization for all Cebu City residents and introduce sustainable employment opportunities for vulnerable groups, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and single parents.

 

He promised to increase Cebu City's revenue to P12 billion without raising taxes, focusing on improving tax collection efficiency to generate more funds for key government services.  Education, healthcare, and social welfare are his top priorities, including expediting the completion of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) and providing financial assistance to vulnerable sectors.

“As a longtime city councilor and with my experiences in policymaking and budgeting gives me an edge in managing effectively Cebu City’s resources,” Archival said.

Vice-Mayor elect Tommy Osmena on the other hand accepted the BOPK win ahead of the proclamation on Monday night.  “Believe it or not, the real hard part is coming. Now it lies upon Nestor and myself to fulfill the duty entrusted to us; to show that BOPK makes not empty promises, but guarantees,” he said.

According to Osmena, the duties and tasks ahead will be hard, tiring, but they can de done.  Together with everyone invested in this beautiful City, he said, “We will make Cebu City #1 again!”

Archival's win marks a significant shift in Cebu City politics, with his administration expected to prioritize the welfare of its residents. (Photos: Archival's FB posts)

 

 

 

 

 

Baricuatro, Archival lead in Cebu gubernatorial and mayoral races respectively

 CEBU CITY—It looks like the political landscapes of Cebu Province and Cebu City are changing with the leads of gubernatorial candidate Pam Baricuatro and mayoral candidate Nestor Archival continue to widen.

 Baricuatro a PDP-Laban gubernatorial candidate continues to lead the race with over 922,059 votes as of 9:46 PM on May 12, 2025, based on partial and unofficial results from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) with 65.59% of election returns already transmitted from 1,986 of 3,028 clustered precincts.

The growing margin now over 309,000 votes positions Baricuatro for a potential historic victory, signaling a shift in political preference among Cebuano voters, according to a Facebook post of Basic Sectors Alliance for Community and Genuine Change, which could gain momentum with promised of reform, transparency and a more inclusive leadership approach.

Though the results remain unofficial, the current numbers strongly suggest that the province may be heading toward a new administration after years of dominance by the Garcia political dynasty, the FB post read.

Meanwhile, Nestor Archival led the race with 250,129 votes as of 11PM, May 12.  Incumber Cebu City mayor Raymund Garcia, in his Facebook post formally conceded and congratulated Archival and his running mate Vice Mayor Tommy Osmena for their wins.

“One of the biggest blessings I have received in life is having been given the opportunity to serve the City of Cebu.  My warmest congratulations to my colleague in the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Mayor-elect Nestor Archival, and Vice Mayor-elect Tommy Osmeña, for a successful campaign.

I shall spend the next weeks ensuring a smooth transition to the incoming administration, even as we make good on the projects we've already lined up,” Garcia said.

The numbers though partial and unofficial marked the beginning of the changes in the politics and governance of Cebu Province and Cebu City as well.  The COMELEC continues its count with official results and proclamations to follow in the next days to come. (Photos: Google Images)