In founding One Cebu, the Garcia family and their supporters capitalized on the widespread opposition to the "Sugbuak" movement, declaring that there is only one Cebu; hence, the party's name. They later left the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, once the dominant majority party in national politics, and joined former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's political party, the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi). The party's strength was further bolstered by internal alliances with the "Alayon Alang sa Kalambuan ug Kalinaw" (Alayon) party in the first district, led by the Gullas family, and the "Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya" (BAKUD) party of the Durano family in the fifth district. This is said to be reason for Gov. Garcia's wide margin (by around half a million votes) in the votes cast for governor in the 2007 elections.