Masbate gubernatorial race heats up

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

THREE influential political figures in the island province of Masbate are set to compete for the governorship in the upcoming May 10, 2025 elections.

Outgoing Masbate City Mayor Socrates “Ates” Tuason, 62, a former ally of Governor Antonio Kho, will challenge Kho’s son, incumbent First District Representative Richard T. Kho, for the gubernatorial position. Clad in a green T-shirt and flanked by supporters, Tuason, a long-serving mayor, is the standard-bearer for the Liberal Party in Masbate, seeking the province’s top post for the first time.

Tuason has pledged to address the island province’s critical lack of basic services, including water supply, healthcare, and power, which he claims have been neglected during the Khos’ administration. He filed his certificate of candidacy at the Commission on Elections within the provincial capitol building, accompanied by his political supporters.

Tuason’s wife, Vice Mayor Rowena, who also previously served as mayor, announced to The Manila Times that she will not seek public office this election cycle and will support her husband’s candidacy.

The Kho family, who currently hold key positions in Masbate—governor, vice governor, and three congressional seats—also filed their certificates of candidacy together. First-term Representative Richard T. Kho, a lawyer and the youngest of the gubernatorial candidates, filed his candidacy alongside his father, outgoing Governor Antonio Kho, under the Lakas-CMD party. Governor Kho aims to succeed his son Richard in Congress.

Vice Governor Olga Kho is also seeking a return to the House of Representatives, having filed her candidacy for the second district. Wilton Kho, the current third district representative, filed for his third term.

Incumbent Second District Representative Ara Kho has submitted her certificate of candidacy for the mayoral position in Masbate City, aiming to challenge incumbent city councilor Ruby Sanchez-Morano, who is running under the gubernatorial candidacy of Mayor Socrates “Ates” Tuason.

Another gubernatorial contender, former First District lawmaker Narciso “Bong” Recio Bravo Jr., filed his certificate of candidacy, alongside his wife, Maria Vida “Marvi” Espinosa-Bravo, who is running for the congressional seat in the first district against Governor Antonio Kho. Both filed their certificates on the first day of filing, October 1.

The political showdown among Kho, Tuason, and Bravo is anticipated to be fierce, particularly between outgoing Mayor Socrates Tuason and Representative Richard Kho, who have shared an alliance for nearly three decades.

In the 2022 elections, the entire Kho family secured top executive and legislative positions in Masbate, the country’s rodeo capital. Governor Antonio Kho won reelection for his third and final term against rival Narciso “Bong” Bravo Jr. His wife, Elisa (Olga) Kho, captured the vice gubernatorial seat against lawyer Jesi Howard Lanete, son of former Masbate Governor Rizalina “Dayan” Lanete.

Olga, a physician, replaced her daughter Ara in the province’s second-highest office. The Khos captured both executive and legislative roles, which typically serve as checks and balances.

Their children, Wilton, Richard, and Ara, were also victorious in their respective congressional districts. Their eldest son, Rep. Tonton Kho (3rd District), secured his seat after defeating former Governor Dayan Lanete (Nationalist People’s Coalition). Vice Governor Ara Kho bested her opponent, Dr. Scott Davies Lanete (NUP), the son of former Governor Dayan Lanete. Ara took over her mother’s seat in Congress, while Richard Kho is the newest member of the family’s political legacy, having served in the 1st District against former Masbate Representative Marvi Bravo (NUP), the wife of former lawmaker Narciso Bravo. Tonton’s wife, Tintin Hao-Kho, is the incumbent mayor of Mandaon, located in the 2nd District.