'Answer Gwen's election protest'

"Hence, you are required to file within a non-extendable period of five days upon receipt hereof, your verified answer containing four hard copies and one original copy via the fastest means available (personal service and/or special courier) at Electoral Contests Adjudication Board Department..." reads part of the summons dated May 27, 2025.

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"In case your answer incorporates a counter-protest, it shall be subject to the legal fees and charges provided under the rules," it added.

The summons was signed by Allen Abaya, director of the Commission’s Clerk of Court.

Garcia, who lost to Baricuatro in the midterm polls, challenged the outcome of the election, claiming it “did not reflect the honest will of the people.”

Garcia garnered 765,051 votes, while Baricuatro received 1,107,924 votes from Cebuanos.

Following the protest, Comelec served a copy of the complaint to Baricuatro at her residence in Pinamungajan, Cebu.

Baricuatro, through her transition team head Atty. Edmund Lao, confirmed in a phone interview that she received the formal protest on the morning of June 4.