Elections in Central Visayas, a theater for national endorsements that boasts of 4.7 million voters, were marked by upsets, comebacks and conjugal victories.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn “Gwen” Garcia lost her seat to Pamela “Pam” Baricuatro, a neophyte politician allied with former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Baricuatro, who ran on a platform of healthcare system improvement, won in 29 cities and towns against Garcia’s 22.
Garcia lost mostly in the 1st District, bailiwick of the Gullas clan, her allies. 1st District Rep. Rhea Mae Gullas and her husband, Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas, both ran unopposed.
However, Garcia’s sister-in-law Karen Garcia was elected to a first term as 3rd District representative while her son-in-law Rep. Duke Frasco was reelected in the 5th District. He is the husband of Tourism Secretary Maria Christina Garcia-Frasco.
The Garcia family had established its dynasty across levels of government in Cebu since the early 1990s.
Sixth District Rep. Daphne Lagon clinched a second term. She is the wife of Ako Bisaya Party list Rep. Sonny Lagon, and mother to twins Larenz and Lorez, who were elected to the provincial board.
Patricia Calderon topped the race in the 7th District, replacing her husband Rep. Peter John Calderon. Edsel Galeos and Sun Shimura were elected to their first terms as 2nd and 4th District representatives, respectively.
In Cebu City, Councilor Nestor Archival Sr. and Tomas Osmeña were elected mayor and vice mayor, respectively. Edu Rama and Rachel del Mar topped the congressional races in the South District and North District, respectively.
The City of Mandaue also saw its mayor Jonas Cores get unseated by Thadeo Ouano. Ouano is the grandson of the late mayor Alfredo Ouano and cousin of Mandaue City Rep. Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano.
In Lapu Lapu City, Rep. Ma. Cynthia King-Chan won as mayor, replacing her husband Junard Chan.
In the other province of Bohol, Gov. Erico Aristotle “Aris” Aumentado secured a third and final term as governor while his wife 2nd District Rep. Vanessa Aumentado won another term.
The governorship had been passed around within the Aumentando family. The patriarch Erico served for three consecutive terms (2001-2010), and then his son, Erico Aristotle “Aris,” followed in his footsteps, from 2019 onward.
Aumentado’s running mate Nick Besas was elected vice governor.
In the 1st District congressional race, John Yap won against Rep. Edgar Chatto. Yap’s wife, Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Cajes Yap, was reelected. Her father Trinidad Mayor Roberto Cajes also won another term.
Third District Rep. Kristine Alexie Tutor retained her seat.
Some 31 mayors were reelected, including eight who ran unopposed, according to reports. — PCIJ.org