BACOLOD City – The recently concluded May 12 midterm elections in Negros Occidental yielded a combination of landslide wins, unopposed victories, and competitive races across the province.
Re-electionist Gov. Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson led the province’s winners with a commanding 911,614 votes, securing another term as governor. His running mate, Joeben Alonso, clinched the vice gubernatorial seat with 680,339 votes.
The proclaimed winners of the Provincial Board members across the six districts include:
* 1st District – MacMac dela Cruz (107,511) and Araceli Samosa (100,738)
* 2nd District – Atoy Marañon (91,459) and Pal Guanzon (83,134)
* 3rd District – Andrew Montelibano (128,156) and Atty. Bambi Depasucat (102,374)
* 4th District – Paula Alonso (109,142) and Nikko Yulo (83,754)
* 5th District – Hadji Trojillo (91,012) and Doc Rita Gatuslao (90,172)
* 6th District – Ralph Alvarez (137,948) and Jeffrey Tubola (102,198)
Winners of the congressional races were also declared:
* 1st District – Jules Ledesma (157,328)
* 2nd District – Thirdy Marañon (121,482, unopposed)
* 3rd District – Javi Benitez (200,044)
* 4th District – Jeffrey Ferrer (130,023)
* 5th District – Dino Yulo (201,003)
* 6th District: Mercedes Alvarez (180,266)
Election results in cities and municipalities were mostly dominated by political families, while other local races featured either unopposed candidates or fiercely fought.
In Cadiz City, Mayor Salvador Escalante was re-elected (58,018 votes) and his nephew Vincent Escalante (54,544 votes) won the vice mayoral seat unopposed.
In E.B. Magalona town, father-son tandem won as Matthew Louis Malacon (24,514) was proclaimed as mayor while his son Marvin Malacon (26,663) as vice mayor.
The same case in Ilog wherein re-elected Mayor John Paul Alvarez (21,845) and his son Vice Mayor John Paulo Alvarez (21,000) ran unopposed.
Re-elected Mayor Miguel Peña (14,751) also retained his seat, while his cousin Anthony Suatengco (12,975) won as vice mayor in Pulupandan.
In Hinigaran, husband-wife tandem Mary Grace Arceo (27,138) and Nadie Arceo (33,673) claimed victory as mayor and vice mayor, respectively.
Similarly, in Kabankalan City, Mayor Benjie Miranda (42,657) was re-elected and his wife, Divina Gracia Miranda (37,146), won as vice mayor.
Another husband-wife team won in Moises Padilla with Ella Garcia Yulo (15,176) re-elected as mayor and Pimpoy Yulo III (12,722) winning as vice mayor.
Siblings won in Cauayan with Mayor John Rey Tabujara (32,353) re-elected and his sister Anna Liza Tabujara-Soriano (27,101) winning as vice mayor.
In Sipalay City, siblings Mayor Gina Montilla Lizares (24,769) and Vice Mayor Oscar Montilla (24,769) were re-elected.
Results in other cities and municipalities include:
Bago City
* Mayor-elect Mayette Javellana (48,312)
* Vice Mayor-elect Andrew Torres (48,319)
Escalante City
* Mayor-elect Melecio Yap (46,164)
* Vice Mayor-elect Nono Prietos (40,774)
Himamaylan City
* Mayor-elect Raymund Tongson (42,015)
* Vice Mayor-elect Justin Silos Gatuslao (30,073)
La Carlota City
* Mayor-elect Joelu Jalandoni (20,316)
* Vice Mayor-elect Jun-Jun Baga (30,156)
Sagay City
* Mayor-elect Bebo Cueva (51,281, unopposed)
* Vice Mayor-elect Narwin Javelosa (48,578)
San Carlos City
* Mayor-elect Rene Gustilo (59,771, unopposed)
* Vice Mayor-elect Criston Carmona (55,335, unopposed)
Silay City
* Mayor-elect Joedith Gallego (45,913)
* Tom Ledesma (48,039)
Talisay City
* Mayor-elect Weng Lizares (31,706)
* Vice Mayor-elect Gab Villacin (32,672)
Victorias City
* Mayor-elect Junb Bantug (36,278, unopposed)
* Vice Mayor-elect Derek Palanca (32,157)
Binalbagan
* Mayor-elect Manuel Aranda (18,843)
* Vice Mayor-elect Mary Ann Mirasol (17,043)
Calatrava
* Mayor-elect Marilyn Era (31,899)
* Vice Mayor-elect Nonoy Dinapo (30,073, unopposed)
Candoni
* Mayor-elect Ray Ruiz (6,871)
* Vice Mayor-elect Odi Javellana (7,487 votes)
Hinoba-an
* Mayor-elect Daph Reliquias (21,757)
* Vice Mayor-elect Toy Bilbao (14,872)
Isabela
* Mayor-elect Miguel Yulo (24,164)
* Vice Mayor-elect Renato Malabor, Jr. (21,288)
La Castellana
* Mayor-elect Añejo Nicor (18,766)
* Vice Mayor-elect Mhai-Mhai Nicor (18,904)
Manapla
* Mayor-elect Mika Escalante (25,018)
* Vice Mayor-elect Edgar Pagayonan (17,656)
Murcia
* Mayor-elect Gerry Rojas (32,957)
* Vice Mayor-elect Johnny Reosura (33,737)
Pontevedra
* Mayor-elect Joemar Alonso (20,399, unopposed)
* Vice Mayor-elect Daybing Gilbor-Matti (18,213)
Salvador Benedicto
* Mayor-elect Nonoy dela Cruz, Jr. (13,689)
* Vice Mayor-elect Jugin Bandolon (14,023, unopposed)
San Enrique
* Mayor-elect Jilson Tubillara (9,095)
* Vice Mayor-elect Dingdong Severino (8,488)
Toboso
* Mayor-elect Richard Jaojoco (20,353, unopposed)
* Vice Mayor-elect Maling de la Cruz (19,444, unopposed)
Valladolid
* Mayor-elect Ricardo Presbitero, Jr. (11,865)
* Vice Mayor-elect Shirley Nacion (12,853)
The 2025 midterm polls in Negros Occidental reflect a blend of political continuity and fresh mandates, with voter turnout and margin of victories showing strong public engagement across the province./PN
