Thirty unopposed candidates poised for victory

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

THIRTY candidates, mostly incumbent officials seeking re-election, are uncontested and poised to win in the upcoming May 2025 local elections in the Bicol Region.

According to data released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Bicol regional office, Comelec Bicol Regional Director Maria Juana “Jane” S. Valeza told Bicol Mail that as of October 11, 2024, 30 candidates for congressional, mayoral, vice mayoral, and town councilor posts in four Bicol provinces are running unopposed in the May 2025 elections.

The data shows that two candidates for congressional seats, six mayors, 13 vice mayors, and eight councilors are running unopposed. Despite having no opponents, these candidates must still be voted upon in the May 2025 elections, with even a single vote sufficient for them to be declared winners.

The four Bicol provinces with uncontested candidates for various posts are Masbate, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and Camarines Sur.

For congressional seats, Sorsogon first district re-electionist Maria Bernadette Guevara Escudero, the younger sister of Senate President Chiz Escudero, is unopposed as she seeks a second term under the NPC party.

Another unopposed candidate for a congressional seat is outgoing Masbate Governor Antonio Kho, who is running in the first district of Masbate under the Lakas-CMD party as his term ends on June 30, 2025.

Masbate has the highest number of uncontested candidates, with both the mayor and vice mayor posts in several towns uncontested. These include Pio V. Corpuz (Mayor Mark Repalda Antonio and Vice Mayor Fernando Vale Mogueis), San Jacinto (Mayor Francisco P. Altarejos and Vice Mayor Leny Altiche Arcenas), Uson (Mayor Felipe U. Sanchez and Vice Mayor Arnel D. Quidato), and Esperanza (Mayor Jeffrey Justin T. Talisic).

Additionally, uncontested vice mayor candidates in Masbate include Valentin C. Alonzo (Aroroy), Felimon III C. Abelita (Balud), Charmax Jan A. Yuson (Batuan), John Paul J. Lim (Mobo), Jerome MC Gurk Duano (Monreal), and Jonathan A. Abenir (Palanas).

Eight councilor candidates in Cataingan, Masbate, are also unopposed: Shara R. Adoptante, Wilson Leo Kho Ang, Mary Joan G. Aplacador, Ralph Kho Cabatana, George Sr. Prenciona Gonzalez, Roberto C. Ponpon, Titus A. Ramzo, and Criselda P. Talisic. All unopposed candidates in Masbate are members of the Lakas-CMD party, aligned with Governor Antonio Kho.

In Sorsogon, Romeo D. Domasian is uncontested in his mayoral bid in Prieto Diaz, while Avon D. Domalaon (running for vice mayor in Prieto Diaz) and Augusto Manuel M. Ragragio (vice mayoral candidate in Magallanes) are also unopposed. All three are members of the NPC party.

In Catanduanes, mayoral candidates Vicente J. Tayam Jr. (Gigmoto) and Cesar J. Robles (Panganiban), as well as vice mayoral candidate Emeterio M. Tarin (Viga), are running unopposed. These candidates belong to the Lakas-CMD party.

In Camarines Sur, Jerry Jake R. Remoto of Lagonoy is running unopposed for the vice mayor post under the PDP party.

Valeza reported that a total of 2,673 candidates filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) for various elective positions across the Bicol Region. Of these, 286 candidates are vying for mayoral positions, with 213 males and 73 females.

For vice mayoral posts, there are 251 candidates, consisting of 202 males and 49 females. There are 2,136 candidates for city and municipal council seats, 1,632 of whom are males and 504 are females.

For congressional seats in the House of Representatives, 45 candidates filed COCs, including 37 males and eight females. In the gubernatorial races across Bicol’s six provinces, there are 20 candidates—18 males and two females.

For vice gubernatorial races, 17 candidates are running, 14 males and three females. There are also 122 candidates for provincial board member positions, with 102 males and 20 females.