Baricuatro, dark horse in Cebu gubernatorial race, proclaimed winner

Pamela Baricuatro was proclaimed winner in Cebu’s gubernatorial race on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 — NESTLE SEMILLA-DAKAY

CEBU CITY – Pamela Baricuatro has defeated a political giant in Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia in Cebu’s gubernatorial race.

Baricuatro, a former stewardess and board member of the Land Bank of the Philippines, was officially proclaimed winner by the Provincial Board of Canvassers at 3:40 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13.

Based on the official and final count of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Baricuatro received 1,107,924 votes as against Garcia’s over 765,051 votes.

READ: Gwen Garcia trails Baricuatro in Cebu gubernatorial race unofficial count

Garcia’s running mate, Glenn Soco defeated Joselito Ruiz in the vice gubernatorial race.

Baricuatro, considered a dark horse in the gubernatorial race, was grateful to the Cebuanos for choosing her to lead them.

“I am happy to win in this election. I am grateful to former president Rodridgo Duterte for endorsing me,” she said.

“But more than that, I think the Cebuanos want change. I introduced myself to the Cebuanos and I am sincere in my desire to bring order to this province of ours,” she added. /jpv