Comelec orders incoming Cebu governor to answer poll protest

WINNING SMILE Pamela “Pam” Baricuatro (center), a political neophyte, is officially proclaimed winner of Cebu’s gubernatorial race by the provincial board of canvassers on Tuesday afternoon at the Cebu provincial capitol, defeating reelectionist Gov. Gwendolyn “Gwen” Garcia. —NESTLE SEMILLA-DAKAY

CEBU CITY – The camp of Cebu governor-elect Pamela Baricuatro received on June 10 the summons from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for her to respond to the election protest filed by outgoing Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

According to lawyer Edmund Lao, head of Baricuatro’s transition team, they will file their response before the five-day deadline to submit a reply ends.

“On June 10, 2025, Comelec via courier served summons at the residence of governor-elect Pam Baricuatro in Pinamungahan, Cebu. The period of five days to file verified answers commences tomorrow (June 11, 2025). Deadline of submission of verified answers is on June 16, 2025,” said Lao.

“Governor-elect Pam Baricuatro’s lawyers are ready and set to file said answer for the dismissal of this baseless case,” he added.

Garcia, who was defeated by Baricuatro in the Cebu gubernatorial race in the May 2025 polls, filed a protest before the Comelec on May 23, questioning the election results, which she described as not reflecting the “honest will” of the people.

READ: Garcia’s hold on Cebu crumbles

Lao said Baricuatro opted to form her legal team to handle the matter.

“The legal team seeks the dismissal of what is clearly an unwarranted and unfounded case so that the transition team can focus on ensuring that the matters of preparing the incoming administration will not be hampered,” the lawyer said.