It is a five-cornered fight in Cebu City for the May 2025 midterm elections.
On the last day set for filing of the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) on October 8, 2024, Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, standard bearer of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, filed his COC for the mayoralty post.
He was with his running mate, Atty. Joey Daluz, who is the former chairman of the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) for vice mayor, and their entire slate.
In the afternoon, incumbent Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival, standard bearer of Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) filed his COC.
He was with his running mate, former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña, an aspirant for the vice mayoralty post.
Others who filed their COCs are aspirants for congressmen and city councilors in Cebu City North and South Districts.
Earlier, suspended Cebu City mayor Michael Rama of Partido Barug filed his COC as he seeks a reelection.
Former Customs commissioner Yogi Filemon Ruiz (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan), and independent aspirant Julito Co also filed COCs for mayor.
Atty. Ferdinand Gujilde, election officer of Comelec - Cebu City South, said that the COC filing was peaceful and orderly despite the presence of throngs of supporters from different camps in the vicinity of the Comelec office.