Central Luzon’s political clans tighten grip on power
BALANGA CITY, BATAAN, Philippines — Over 50 local candidates in Central Luzon, mostly belonging to dominant political clans, have secured their positions in the May midterm elections by running unopposed.
In Bataan, candidates allied with the Garcia political clan remain uncontested, all but guaranteeing their victory.
Rep. Albert Garcia, running for the second district, faces no challenger, as do Balanga City mayoral candidate Racquel Garcia and her running mate, incumbent Mayor Francis Anthony Garcia.
In Orani, incumbent Bataan Provincial Board Member Antonino Roman III is also unopposed in his bid for the province’s first district.
Likewise, Orani mayoral candidate Jon Arizapa and his running mate, incumbent Vice Mayor Emmanuel Roman, are running without opposition.
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Hermosa town sees political newcomer and lawyer Anne Adorable-Inton running unchallenged for mayor, alongside incumbent Vice Mayor Patrick Rellosa, who is seeking reelection.
In Bagac, incumbent Vice Mayor Ron del Rosario is set to become mayor, running alongside former Mayor Ramil del Rosario, both unopposed.
Similar pattern
In neighboring Zambales, a similar pattern of unopposed political dominance is evident.
First District Rep. Jay Khonghun and three of his family members—incumbent Vice Gov. Jaq Khonghun, incumbent Subic Mayor Jonathan Khonghun, and their father, Castillejos Mayor Jeff Khonghun—are all running unopposed.
Other unchallenged candidates included Botolan’s incumbent Mayor Jun Omar Ebdane, son of Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., along with his running mate, lawyer Edmund Dante Perez.
Iba’s incumbent Vice Mayor Joan Ballesteros and San Marcelino Mayor Elmer Soria and his running mate Christopher Gongora are also guaranteed victory. All are running under the Sulong Zambales Party, a local political party founded by Ebdane in 2012.
Initially, reelectionist Gov. Ebdane had no opponent. However, the Supreme Court has since allowed Aeta leader Chito Balintay to challenge him, ensuring at least one competitive race in Zambales.
Angaras of Aurora
In Aurora province, reelectionist Rep. Rommel Angara is running unopposed for reelection. Similarly, in Baler, Rhett Angara is the lone candidate for mayor, with Lian Angara as his uncontested vice mayor.
In Casiguran, Roy Soriano is the sole mayoral candidate, alongside his running mate for vice mayor, Eugene Calugtong. Meanwhile, in Dipaculao, the tandem of Danny Tolentino and Franklin Reyes, both running under the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino, is also unopposed.
Bulacan’s political landscape also features unopposed candidates. Salvador Pleyto of Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats is running unchallenged for congressman in the sixth district.
In Bocaue, Sherwin Tugna is set to assume the vice mayoralty once more, while in Guiguinto, Boy Cruz is the unopposed candidate for mayor.
The Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan tandem of Goto Violago (mayor) and Edison Veneracion (vice mayor) is unchallenged in San Rafael town.
In the City of Malolos, reelectionist Mayor Christian Natividad is running unopposed.
Tandems
Several towns in Nueva Ecija will also see automatic winners. In Licab, Willy Domingo (Sigaw) is set to become mayor with Oliver Villaroman as vice mayor.
Similarly, in Palayan City, the tandem of Vianne Cuevas and Romaric Capinpin (Nationalist People’s Coalition) is uncontested for mayor and vice mayor, respectively.
In Quezon, Dean Joson (Sigaw) is unopposed for mayor, with Josie Joson running as vice mayor. San Antonio will also see the Sigaw tandem of Gege Salonga (mayor) and Arvin Salonga (vice mayor) take office without opposition.
Baby Boy de Guzman (mayor) and St. James Domingo (vice mayor), both under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, will be leading Santo Domingo, while in Zaragoza, Edwin Buendia is the lone vice mayoral candidate.
In Pampanga, two key politicians, Carmelo Lazatin Jr. and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, are both running unopposed for congressional seats in the first and second districts, respectively.
In Apalit, Jun Tetangco is uncontested for mayor. Bacolor will be led by Diman Datu as mayor and Ron Dungca as vice mayor.
Guagua’s vice mayoral seat will be filled by Jun Lim, while Lubao will have Jay Montemayor as its vice mayor. In Macabebe, Bobong Flores is unopposed for mayor, with Vince Flores as vice mayor. Philip Naguit has no opponent for mayor of Minalin, as well as the tandem of Dr. J. Sagum (mayor) and Mon Sagum (vice mayor) in San Luis.
In Tarlac, Jaime Cojuangco is the unopposed congressional candidate in the first district, while in Victoria town, Tani Guiam is the lone candidate for vice mayor.
