Marcos allies emerge as winners in Ilocos Norte polls

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TEAM MARCOS. Winning top officials in Ilocos Norte flash the victory and peace signs following their proclamation at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall on Tuesday (May 13, 2025). (Photo by LEILANIE ADRIANO)

LAOAG CITY — Candidates supported by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. still ruled the top elective posts in Ilocos Norte.

Governor-elect Cecilia Araneta-Marcos and Vice Governor-elect Matthew Joseph Manotoc, who are both part of the Marcos family, won the elections.

Araneta-Marcos is the widow of former Provincial Board Member Mariano Marcos II, who is a cousin of the president, while Manotoc is the son of Senator Imee Marcos.

The two also enjoyed the backing of Ilocos Norte Representatives Ferdinand Alexander Marcos (1st District) and Angelo Marcos Barba (2nd District).

The 69-year-old governor expressed gratitude for the love and support of Ilocano voters.

She also said she will continue the good governance and meaningful programs left by Manotoc, her predecessor.

“Now the work begins for the best of our province,” Araneta-Marcos said in her short speech.

She delivered her message after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaimed her as the new governor of the province with 299,037 votes on Tuesday afternoon.

Manotoc and Araneta-Marcos switched positions for the 2025 midterm elections.

They filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COC) on October 8, 2024, the deadline for COC filing.

Manotoc ran unopposed, while Araneta-Marcos was challenged by an independent candidate, Arlene Jocelyn Butay, a resident of San Nicolas town.

During the campaign, both promised that all the projects and programs of the provincial government under Manotoc’s term would not change in the next three years.

“Expectations are high, and we must deliver. Regardless of politics, we hope to achieve all promises made,” Manotoc said in his short speech after his proclamation.

Bryan Alcid, the incoming mayor of Laoag City and another winning candidate allied with the Marcoses, also promised to lead their constituents to progress.

Alcid defeated incumbent Mayor Michael Marcos Keon, a first cousin of the president.

With the elections over, Alcid enjoined all Laoag residents to work with his administration for a better future. /apl/abc