ILOILO – A total of 963 candidates from both Iloilo City and the province of Iloilo have filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) for various positions in the midterm elections scheduled for May 12, 2025.
According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), two individuals are vying for the governorship.
Incumbent Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) is seeking re-election, with independent candidate Mary Frances Chloe Noble, a 28-year-old resident of Barangay Baybay Sur, Miag-ao, as his challenger.
In Iloilo City, the mayoral race will also see two candidates: Raisa Maria Lourdes S. Treñas-Chu of the National Unity Party (NUP) and independent candidate Roland Magahin.
Meanwhile, 13 candidates are competing for congressional seats across the Lone District of Iloilo City and the five congressional districts of Iloilo Province.
Notably, the 2nd congressional district will see no competition.
Here’s the breakdown of candidates for congressman:
Lone District of Iloilo City
* Carmelo Carreon (independent)
* Julienne Baronda (incumbent, Lakas)
* Danilo Purzuelo (independent)
1st District of Iloilo Province
* Janette Garin (incumbent, Lakas)
* Victor Tabaquirao (PDP-Laban)
* Rosendo Langusta (independent)
2nd District of Iloilo Province
* Dr. Kathryn Joyce Gorriceta (Lakas) – unopposed
3rd District of Iloilo Province
* Lorenz Defensor (incumbent, NUP)
* Thelma Langusta (independent)
4th District of Iloilo Province
* Ferjenel Biron (incumbent, Nacionalista Party)
* Charlie Sustento (Reform PH – People’s party)
5fth District of Iloilo Province
* Niel “Junjun” Tupas Jr. (Nationalist People’s Coalition)
* Binky April Tupas (Lakas)
For vice mayor in Iloilo City, two are running – incumbent Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon of PFP and Lady Julie Grace Baronda of Lakas.
For vice governor of Iloilo province, three are running – Cong. Raul Tupas of Lakas; Mayor Nathalie Debuque of Anilao (PFP); and Mark John Velasco of Zarraga (independent).
Meanwhile, here are the 29 aspirants for Iloilo City’s Sangguniang Panlungsod:
* Jose Espinosa (independent)
* Abner Batan (independent)
* Efren Gimeo (Partido Demokratiko Pilipino)
* Ryan Dave Lee Estrella (independent)
* Salvador Capulot Jr. (independent)
* Jan Dominic Barredo (PFP)
* Jose Maria Miguel Treñas, (incumbent, PFP)
* Mandrie Malabor (NUP)
* Shiela Olid (PFP)
* Frances Grace Parcon-Torres (incumbent, PFP)
* Rex Marcus Sarabia (incumbent, NUP)
* Romel Duron (incumbent, PFP)
* Sedrey Cabaluna (incumbent, NUP)
* Lyndon Acap (NUP)
* Rudolph Jeffrey Ganzon (incumbent, NUP)
* Jose Maria Dela Llana (PFP)
* Alan Zaldivar (incumbent, PFP)
* Johnny Young (incumbent, PFP)
* Peter Emil Oñate II (Lakas)
* Bryant Ian Zulueta (Lakas)
* Florencio Moleta Jr. (PFP)
* Arturo Araneta (independent)
* Romelia Piad (PDP)
* Wincy Elen (independent)
* Gene Manuel Ramos (Lakas)
* R Leone Gerochi (Lakas)
* Sheen Marie Mabilog (Lakas)
* Stanley Clyde Flores (Lakas)
* Kesha Pesina-Tupas (Lakas)
For Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Iloilo Province, there are 18 aspirants:
1st District
* Rica Jane Garin (Lakas)
* Jo Ann Germinanda (incumbent, Lakas)
* Elston Saquian (independent)
* Juan Miguel Flores (independent)
2nd District
* Rolito Cajilig (incumbent, PFP) – unopposed
* June Mondejar (incumbent, PFP) – unopposed
3rd District
* Mark Palabrica (PFP)
* Jason Gonzales (incumbent, Liberal Party)
* Anthony Benette Margarico (Lakas)
* Eugenio Rodrigo Paluay (Lakas)
4th District
* Rolando Distura (incumbent, Nacionalista Party)
* Dominic Paul Oso (Nacionalista Party)
* Antonio Parcon (BUNYOG, Pagkakaisa)
* Felicito Dolar Jr. (independent)
5th District
* Nielito Tupas (Lakas)
* John Carlo Ong (Lakas)
* Rolex Suplico (Uswag Ilonggo)
* Niel Tupas III (PFP)
According to Atty. Reinier Layson, Provincial Election Supervisor of Comelec in Iloilo, the filing of COCs concluded successfully on October 8, with no untoward incidents reported.
“Overall, the process went very smoothly. There were no major problems encountered. We received all the COCs without any issues, making the entire process smooth sailing,” Layson said.
What happens after the filing of COCs?
Layson explained that on October 12, the Comelec – Iloilo Province will submit all the COCs received from October 1 to 8 to the Comelec Central Office, particularly to the Law Department, for processing. This will allow the official list of candidates for the May 2025 elections to be released./PN
