187 Visayas candidates ‘sure winners’
A total of 187 candidates in the Visayas need just one vote to win in the May 12 elections.
Records from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) showed that 74 candidates from Eastern Visayas, 49 from Central Visayas, 40 from Western Visayas, and 24 from Negros Island Region are running unopposed.
According to the poll body, these candidates need only a vote to be declared winners in this year’s election.
Most of the unopposed were vice mayors, mayors and district representatives.
Lawyer Maria Corazon Montallana, assistant director of the Comelec in Eastern Visayas, said that while the presence of rivals in an election gives voters more options, the lack of competition may reflect the constituents’ satisfaction with their current officials.
“These candidates may be unopposed because their constituents see the impact of their projects and services,” she said.
“However, having opposing candidates is very healthy as it provides voters with choices,” she added.
Romualdez, Tans rule
In Eastern Visayas, Speaker Martin Romualdez, Leyte’s first district representative, is assured of reelection since he does not have any opponent.
Leyte also has 12 other unopposed candidates, including incumbent Vice Gov. Leonardo Javier, five mayors and six vice mayors.
In Samar, running for reelection without opponents are the Tan siblings: Sharee Ann for governor; Stephen James for the province’s first congressional district; and Reynolds Michael in the second congressional district.
Nine mayors and 11 vice mayors in the province are unopposed, among them Rex Daguman and Coefredo Uy, incumbent vice mayors of Calbayog and Catbalogan cities, respectively.
In Northern Samar, six mayors and five vice mayors are certain to retain their posts.
Biliran has nine unopposed candidates, led by vice gubernatorial candidate Roselyn Espina as well as four mayors and their respective vice mayors.
Southern Leyte sees two mayors and five vice mayors running unchallenged, as well as a mayor and two vice mayors in Eastern Samar.
Eastern Visayas is composed of the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar.
For Mayor Lovell Anne Castro of Alangalang town in Leyte, having no opponent can be considered both an advantage and a disadvantage.
Her lack of opposition, she said, may signify widespread community support and general satisfaction with her administration. However, the absence of a challenger may limit democratic engagement and reduce the space for public debate on important local issues.
Castro said her unchallenged candidacy in 2025 is not only a political milestone but also a testament to the deep trust and respect she has cultivated among the Alangalanganons.
Cebu, Bohol
In Cebu, 31 candidates do not have any opponents.
Among them were congressional candidates Rhea Gullas in the first district, Karen Garcia in the third district, and Daphne Lagon in the sixth district.
Ten mayors and 18 vice mayors in the different parts of the province of Cebu are also unopposed.
These candidates for mayor include outgoing third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia IV in Barili, Fritz Lastimoso in Alcantara, Jose Eugenio Singson Jr. in Alcoy, Carlo Villamor in Carmen, Rajiv Enad in Minglanilla, Chantilli Blanco in Ronda, Alfredo Arquillano Jr. in San Francisco, Christian Daniel Diamante in Tuburan, Greman Solante in Tudela, and Mytha Canoy in San Fernando.
In Bohol, 19 candidates–10 mayors and nine vice mayors–are running unopposed. The mayoral bets are Juan Manuel Lim in Corella, Hilario Ayuban Jr. in Loay, Emmanuel Caberte (Sevilla), Justiniana Ellorimo (Sikatuna), Eugeniano Ibarra (Clarin), Restituto Suarez III (Sagbayan), Thamar Olaivar (Candijay), Conchita Toribio-delos Reyes (Carmen), Arturo Jed Piollo II (Lila), and Cary Camacho (Getafe).
Negros
In Negros Occidental, reelectionist second district Rep. Alfredo Marañon III and four candidates for board members only need one vote to win the 2025 polls.
Also unopposed are candidates for Provincial Board Marxlen de la Cruz and Araceli Somosa of the first district, and Sixto “Pal” Guanzon and Arthur Christopher Marañon of the second district.
There also are seven candidates for mayor and eight for vice mayor in Negros Occidental who are running unopposed. The mayoral candidates are Renato Gustilo (San Carlos City), Richard Jaojoco (Toboso), Salvador Escalante (Cadiz City), Leo Rafael Cueva (Sagay City), Abelardo Bantug III (Victorias), Jose Maria Alonso (Pontevedra), and John Paul Alvarez (Ilog).
West Visayas
In Western Visayas, at least 40 candidates are running unopposed, among them Iloilo Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr., Iloilo second district Rep. Khatty Garin, 17 mayors, and 23 vice mayors.
In Aklan, Balete Mayor Prescilla Gale Calizo and Ibajay Mayor Miguel Miraflores have no opponents.
Antique and Capiz also have their share of uncontested local positions with Bugasong Mayor Victor Condez and Capiz second district Rep. Jane Castro included in the list.
In Guimaras, Nueva Valencia Mayor Manny Galila runs unchallenged. —REPORTS FROM JOEY GABIETA, LEO UDTOHAN, RUCHELLE DENICE DEMAISIP, CARLA GOMEZ, ADOR VINCENT MAYOL, AND NESTLE SEMILLA-DAKAY
