A total of 785 candidates are vying for 369 electoral positions in Negros Occidental for the May 12 midterm elections as the campaign period for local aspirants kicked off yesterday.
Records from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Occidental show four candidates — Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, business owner Ernesto Librando, Paul Octaviano, and Ferdenand Diego — are challenging incumbent Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson in the gubernatorial race.
Two are aspirants for the vice-gubernatorial position: Lacson’s running mate, 4th District Board Member Jose Benito Alonso; and Octaviano’s partymate, Rosemarie Jaro Dreyfus.
A total of 23 aspirants are running for members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, data showed.
Negros Occidental 1st and 2nd Districts have two candidates each, 3rd and 4th Districts have four each, 5th District has six, and 6th District has five running for the position.
There are 15 candidates for the seven congressional districts in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City lone district.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and former Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia will be up for a rematch for the city lone district congressional seat.
Leonardia served as the lone district representative for one term from 2013 until 2016, and as city mayor from 2016 until 2022.
Benitez, a former Negros Occidental third district congressman, defeated Leonardia in the mayoral race in 2022.
Meanwhile, 133 candidates are vying for mayoral and vice mayoral positions in 31 local government units in the province, including capital Bacolod.
Seventy candidates are running for city and municipal mayor positions in the province, 63 for vice mayor, while 607 candidates are eyeing the post of city or municipal councilor.
Sure winners
Seven aspirants for mayoral posts in the cities of San Carlos, Cadiz, Sagay, and Victorias, as well as the municipalities of Pontevedra, Ilog and Toboso, are unopposed.
Eight aspirants for vice mayor in the cities of San Carlos, Cadiz and Sipalay, as well as the municipalities of Calatrava, Don Salvador Benedicto, Toboso, Pulupandan, and Ilog, are unchallenged.
Those candidates without opponents are reelectionist San Carlos Mayor Renato Gustilo and Councilor Richard Jaojoco of Toboso, who will return as the town’s top official after his wife, Mayor Madonnah Jaojoco, steps down this year.
Vice mayors Christopher Paul Carmona of San Carlos, Florendo Dinapo of Calatrava, and Maria Luisa dela Cruz of Toboso are all unopposed in their respective reelection bids.
Former Councilor Jugin Jewel Bandolon is also the lone candidate for vice mayor in Don Salvador Benedicto.
Also unchallenged are Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante, Jr. and his running mate for vice mayor, nephew John Vincent Escalante, and Sagay Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva, who is running for mayor.
Victorias Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug II is also unchallenged for mayor, as well as reelectionists Mayor Jose Maria Alonso of Pontevedra and Vice Mayor Anthony Gerard Suatengco of Pulupandan.
The seats being eyed by reelectionist Mayor John Paul Alvarez and his son, John Paulo, a candidate for vice mayor, are also uncontested, the same with the vice mayoral post in Sipalay, where incumbent Oscar Montilla is the only contender.
‘Stick to platforms’
Meanwhile, Comelec-Negros Occidental provincial election supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said local candidates should stick to their platforms of government.
“If they want to serve the people, candidates should focus on what they can do for the people,” Ananoria said.
“The election is just one day. They should not resort to personal attacks. They should also not be onion-skinned,” he added.
Ananoria said election aspirants should remove their campaign materials from areas not designated as a common poster area.
“Those with illegal campaign materials will be served with notices of violation,” he said.
The Comelec reminded all candidates to comply with the poll body’s campaign rules or risk disqualification. / With reports from PNA / WDJ