CEBU CITY – Rep. Pablo John “PJ” Garcia, secretary general of the dominant One Cebu party, was one of the early birds who kicked off the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) for the elections next year on Tuesday, October 1.

CEBU Rep. Pablo John ‘PJ’ Garcia files his Certificate of Candidacy for a third and last term. (Contributed photo)

Garcia is seeking a third and last term as representative of the third district of Cebu.

“I am confident in my record as a legislator and as an advocate for meaningful infrastructure projects and socio-economic programs that make a difference in the lives and livelihoods of the people of the six municipalities and one city in the third district,” Garcia said.

During the 18th and 19th Congresses, Garcia was principal author of 227 bills and co-author of 120 others, all of national importance, 49 of which have become law. 

“Among those I am proudest of are RA 12009 or the New Government Procurement Act; RA 11964 or the Automatic Income Classification of Local Government Units Act; RA 11901 or the Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act, and RA 11573 improving the confirmation process of imperfect land titles,” Garcia said.

“I am also proud to have been named to the Second Congressional Education Commission, where I’ve had the opportunity to experience up close the challenges facing the Philippine educational system, and the honor of proposing major reforms across the education spectrum,” Garcia added.

“I have much more to offer both in legislation and in championing infrastructure, health, livelihood and education.”

“For this reason, I once more humbly seek the mandate, the trust, and confidence that the people of the third district of Cebu have continually and consistently bestowed upon me,” he said.

In Cebu City, a key political figure shifted allegiance as north district Rep. Rachel "Cutie" del Mar transferred to the Kusug Uswag Kugi (Kusug) from her long-time party Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK).

Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, president of Kusug, confirmed Del Mar’s transfer on Monday, September 30, a day after the dominant One Cebu party held its convention attended by Cebu City and Cebu province officials.

Del Mar was among those who attended the convention.

"I think it's pretty obvious and clear that we will bring Congresswoman Cutie del Mar for north district representative. I just clarified that," Garcia said.

Del Mar ran for Congress under BOPK in 2022. Her transfer came after BOPK’s head, former Mayor Tomas Osmeña, expressed his group’s support for Cebu City Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos for Del Mar’s position.