FOR MAYORALTY RACE Gwen declares free zone in Mandaue

No official endorsement was made by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia as she joined the grand proclamation rally of One Mandaue led by mayoral candidate Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano last March 29, 2025.

-  Mitchelle Palaubsanon, Kristin de Dios

But Garcia clarified that while she is not officially endorsing Ouano and his slate, she also will not officially endorse Ouano's opponent for the mayoral seat, former mayor Jonas Cortes, and his slate, who are all her allies.

In his Certificate of Candidacy, Cortes is under Garcia's One Cebu, while Ouano is under Lakas-CMD, the party of House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

In previous years, the Ouanos and Cortes have become allies, particularly in the 2019 and 2022 elections, which was acknowledged by Garcia.

“We won with that unity. We did it again in 2022. Kuyog gihapon ang ang nagkahiusang pwersa. But sadly after 2022 nagsugod na ang pagka buak-buak sayran ko kamo how I tried to keep that unity. Pila ka higayon mag abot ang duha ka pwersa, mohangyo ko paningkamutan nato, ipadayon ang kahiusahan kay kung nagbuwag buwag ang katawhan mao kini ang mahimong sagabal unya sa atong tinguha nga molambo ang dakbayan sa Mandaue,” said disclosed.

Garcia said that she has tried several times to unite the Ouanos and Cortes', who were previously allies.

“I tried, not once, not twice three or even more than three times or more, but I failed. Wa to nako makab-ot ang akong tinguha nga magpabiling usa ang duha ka pwersa, nagkabuwag gyud. But mind you inspite of the frustration that I felt, sa akong kaguol nga nagkabuwag gyud, gi respeto nako ang ilang desisyon. For they are leaders as well afterall," Garcia said, as she stressed on the contributions of both families and their administrations to Mandaue City.

On the other hand, Ouano's sister, reelectionist Mandaue City Lone District Representative Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon said that for the congressional race, she is endorsed by the governor as she is also the current secretary-general of One Cebu.