ILOILO – Department of Budget and Management (DBM) secretary Amenah Pangandaman will lead the oath-taking ceremony of re-elected Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and incoming Vice Gov. Nathalie Ann Debuque on June 30, in a gathering expected to showcase the political consolidation of the province’s ruling bloc following a largely uncontested election.
Defensor will formally begin his third and final term as governor after securing 811,746 votes in the May 12, 2025, midterm elections, running unopposed.
Debuque, the outgoing mayor of Anilao, will replace outgoing Vice Gov. Christine Garin after winning the vice gubernatorial race with 547,462 votes, defeating outgoing 5th District congressman Raul Tupas, who garnered 500,863.
Joining them in the oath-taking are several newly elected officials, including Cong. Lorenz Defensor (3rd District), Cong. Kathy Gorriceta (2nd District), and Uswag Ilonggo party-list’s Cong. Jojo Ang, as well as the majority of the re-elected and newly elected members of the Iloilo Provincial Board.
The winning Provincial Board Members to be sworn in are:
* 1st District – Rica Jane Garin and Jo Ann Germinanda
* 2nd District – Rolito Cajilig and June Mondejar
* 3rd District – Jason Gonzales and Mark Palabrica
* 4th District – Rolando Distura and Dominic Oso
* 5th District – Darl Tupas and Rolex Suplico/PN
