Team member Gwen perceived as unhelpful by Pam.
Incoming Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro has urged outgoing Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to facilitate a smooth transition of power, expressing concerns over delays ahead of her June 30, 2025 assuming office.
In a press conference at the Golden Prince Hotel and Suites in Cebu City on May 30, Baricuatro expressed disappointment over the process, describing it as "discouraging" and "uncooperative." She emphasized that the people of the province could be negatively affected if there is any delay in the handover of service due to the lack of time for scrutiny and review of important documents.
Attorney Edmund Lao, who is expected to lead Baricuatro's transition team, has reportedly criticized the outgoing administration for inadequate cooperation during meetings, particularly with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cebu Province on May 29, 2023.
Lao expressed concern over the absence of in-person meetings between the incoming and outgoing transition teams. Dr. Jesus Robel Sastrillo Jr., director of DILG Cebu Province and co-chair of the outgoing administration's transition team, allegedly confirmed this absence.
The formal turnover of governance records covering 40 areas is expected to take place on June 30, 2025, marking the day Baricuatro is scheduled to take office. However, Lao questioned the delay in this process, stating, "This undermines the principle of a seamless transfer of responsibilities. We will not have enough time to study the documents' significance."
The DILG issued a memorandum circular in 2025, mandating a comprehensive briefing on important governance documents for the transition teams. Baricuatro expressed dissatisfaction with the DILG's failure to act effectively as a facilitator for the transition team.
Despite the concerns over the transition process, there were previously election-related issues during the election process, including Garcia's attempt to suspend the proclamation of Baricuatro as the new governor by filing a motion with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), claiming Baricuatro was a nuisance candidate. However, due to the lack of an official directive from COMELEC to suspend the proclamation, Baricuatro was ultimately proclaimed as the new governor-elect.
Regarding long-standing issues like the 93-1 lots dispute, Baricuatro has already initiated discussions with other local leaders, such as Mayor-elect Nestor Archival. The transition of power in Cebu Province is therefore expected to proceed, marking a significant change in leadership following Baricuatro's upset victory over Garcia.
- In light of Pamela Baricuatro's upset victory over Gwendolyn Garcia in the Cebu gubernatorial election, there has been a call for a smooth transition of power, with concerns raised about potential delays in policy-and-legislation and general news affairs.
- The ongoing politics in Cebu Province, particularly the lack of cooperation from the outgoing administration and the delay in the handover of governance records, could hinder the incoming administration's ability to properly review and scrutinize important documents, potentially impacting policies and legislation in the region.
