JE C.C.
Senatorial candidate Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan received a significant boost in his campaign for the 2025 Philippine midterm elections with a public endorsement from Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia.
The endorsement, captured in a viral X post by Pangilinan, underscores a rare cross-party alliance that could prove pivotal in the vote-rich province of Cebu, which boasts 3.2 million voters across its 9 cities and 44 municipalities.
In the X post, Pangilinan shared a photo of himself and Garcia dancing together at an event, with a caption that read, “The only non-Alyansa that Gov. Gwen of Cebu endorsed because of FRIENDSHIP.”
Daghang salamat, Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia! 💚
Kahit magkaiba tayo ng alyansa sa pulitika, higit pa sa pagkakaibigan, nagkakasundo tayo sa mas malaking suporta sa agrikultura, patas na kita para sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda, at mas abot-kaya at masustansyang pagkain sa… pic.twitter.com/g52H8B7lJt
— Kiko Pangilinan (@kikopangilinan) May 7, 2025
He expressed gratitude for Garcia’s support, emphasizing their shared vision for agriculture, fair income for farmers and fisherfolk, and affordable, nutritious food for Filipino families.
“Kahit magkaiba tayo ng alyansa sa pulitika, higit pa sa pagkakaibigan, nagkakasundo tayo,” Pangilinan wrote, highlighting their unity despite differing political affiliations.
Garcia’s endorsement is a massive win for Pangilinan, given Cebu’s status as a key electoral battleground. As the incumbent governor and a member of the influential Garcia political clan, Gwen Garcia wields significant influence through her local party, One Cebu, which has strong ties to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and a network of allied officials across the province. Political analysts note that her support could sway undecided voters in Cebu, potentially tipping the scales for Pangilinan in a tightly contested Senate race.
Adding to Pangilinan’s momentum, comedian and television host Vice Ganda made a last-ditch effort to rally support for the former senator. On May 5, 2025, just seven days before the elections, Vice Ganda shared a video on Facebook endorsing Pangilinan, urging his millions of followers to vote for the candidate known for his agricultural advocacy. Similarly, Vice Ganda’s fellow It’s Showtime host, Anne Curtis, publicly shared Pangilinan as among senatoriables she wants to be in the Senate.
Despite these high-profile endorsements, Pangilinan’s path to the Senate remains uncertain. A Pulse Asia survey conducted from January 18 to 25, 2025, placed Pangilinan just outside the “Magic 12” list of probable Senate winners, alongside other former senators like Bam Aquino and Gringo Honasan. The survey, which showed ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo leading with 62.8% voter preference, highlighted that only 50% of voters were inclined to complete their senatorial slates, making the race highly competitive.
As the May 12 election approaches, Pangilinan continues to campaign on his platform of agricultural reform and food security, banking on endorsements like Garcia’s and Vice Ganda’s to secure a Senate seat.
Whether these alliances will propel him into the Top 12 remains to be seen, but for now, Cebu’s support has given his campaign a much-needed boost.
