Gov. Garcia says BBM now means ‘benteng bigas meron na’

MANILA, Philippines — Many credit President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s win in the 2022 national elections to his ability to be relatable, and his catchy nickname—BBM, which stands for Bongbong Marcos.

BBM was used for several slogans before and after Marcos won the elections—from the catchphrase Bayan Bangon Muli, to the Wi-Fi program Broadband ng Masa, and then the infrastructure program Build Better More.

But fast forward to 2025, and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia believes there is now a new meaning behind Marcos’ nickname: “benteng bigas meron na”, which literally translates to P20 per kilogram of rice is available.

“BBM, benteng bigas, meron na, ta benteng bugas mamalit na ta (P20 per kilogram rice is available, let’s buy these rice),” Garcia said during the One Cebu rally in Dumanhug town, Cebu, which Marcos attended.

READ: Bongbong Marcos vows to bring down price of rice

“Where else (would the program start), but the very municipality that has echoed the start of a promise fulfilled: P20 per kilo, if you find it, that promise came about with the full cooperation and collaboration of the Visayas governors,” she added.

READ: DA will start selling rice at P20 per kilo – Tiu Laurel

The P20 per kilogram of rice was a campaign promise of Marcos during the 2022 elections. During the campaign season for the 2022 national elections, Marcos said that he will work to bring down the price of rice — down to P20 to P30 per kilogram by recommending a price cap.

READ: Garcia assures Alyansa slate of Cebu win: We have true people, not trolls

Last April, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced that the P20 per kilogram of rice will be made available first in Visayas, through the government releasing subsidies meant to shoulder higher market prices.

Vice President Sara Duterte—Marcos’ running-mate in the 2022 polls, meanwhile claimed that Marcos only started the program because his Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate was performing badly in Visayas.

But for Garcia, Cebuanos respect Marcos even more now as he fulfills his promise of cheaper rice.

“Mr. President, this is the voice of the real people. These are not trolls, nor created AI (artificial intelligence) bots or voices coming from other countries. Ito po ang mga Dumanhuganon, sila po ang mga Sugbuanon patuloy kaming rumerespeto sa inyo, lalong-lalo na ngayon, meron nang benteng bigas per kilo,” she said.

(Mr. President, this is the voice of the real people. These are not trolls, nor created AI bots or voices coming from other countries. These are Dumanhuganon, they are Cebuanos who continue to respect you, especially now that we have a P20 per kilogram of rice.)

“Rest assured—because that is what we leaders are expected to do, to provide direction—muhatag ug direksyon sa mga panahon na may sala-ag, kahilabihan na kadaghan ang fake news—this governor will remains steadfast and so will the entire leadership of this entire island,” she added. “We are for unity, we are for progress, because we are One Cebu, solid behind the duly-elected President of the Republic of the Philippines who knows how to keep his word.”

(Rest assured—because that is what we leaders are expected to do, to provide direction—provide direction in times of uncertainty, and when fake news is prevalent…)

During the program, Garcia also asked the audience to support Alyansa’s senatorial candidates, from former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Makati Mayor Abby Binay, former senators Ping Lacson, Manny Pacquiao, Senator Bong Revilla, former Senate President Tito Sotto, Senator Lito Lapid, Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, Senator Pia Cayetano.

The Governor then endorsed ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo despite his past feud with the latter’s brother, Senator Raffy Tulfo, over an inspection of a bus terminal and the collection of fees for comfort room use.

READ: Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia slams Sen. Tulfo’s ‘misguided’ CNBT critique https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2053101/cebu-gov-gwen-garcia-slams-sen-tulfos-misguided-cnbt-critique

Marcos meanwhile thanked Cebu for its support to the Alyansa slate, noting that the province remains an inspiration for their platform of unity, as concerted efforts have allowed the are to prosper.

Alyansa’s latest stop to Cebu is part of its activities for the final week before the 2025 midterm elections. Previously, the slate courted voters from Quezon province and Batangas — two key areas in the southern Luzon area.