SAN FRANCISCO, CEBU – The officials of the Municipality of San Francisco, led by incumbent Mayor Alfredo "Al" Arquillano and Vice Mayor Aly Arquillano, have officially registered their bids for re-election.
Governor Gwen Garcia, Deputy Speaker and Fifth District Congressman Duke Frasco, along with Board Members Red Duterte and Mike Villamor, and the governor's daughter, Carissa, accompanied the San Francisco officials as they filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) at the local Commission on Elections (COMELEC) office on Saturday, October 5.
This underscores the unity within One Cebu, as the Camotes officials—who have always been political allies of the opposition party—are now running under the One Cebu banner. The officials, along with their candidates for the municipal council, made the historic move to join Cebu's strongest local party in 2022, marking a significant shift in their political affiliations.
Despite their former alliance with the opposition, San Francisco and the rest of the Camotes group of LGUs had consistently received the full support of Gov. Garcia’s administration. Their decision to join One Cebu was seen as a way to reciprocate the governor's longstanding support for their communities, as well as to embrace the party’s platform of unity.
The presence of Gov. Gwen, as One Cebu’s president, further solidifies her backing of these officials as they align with the ruling party for the upcoming elections. | Babie Jane Revecoy