Top candidates of the political alliance led by the Cua brothers together with Talino at Galing ng Pinoy (TGP) Partylist Rep. Jose “Bong” Teves Jr. expressed confidence that they will emerge victorious in the May 12, 2025 local elections.
In a press conference held at Rakdell Inn last Thursday (May 1, 2025), Vice Governor Peter Cua, who is running for governor, disclosed that the electorate has been very receptive of their campaign in the 315 barangays, of which 80 percent the group has already visited thus far.
“In my own personal opinion, mananalo kaming tatlo dito sa darating na May 12,” the vice governor firmly stated in the presscon where Virac Mayor Samuel Laynes, who is running for Congress, and PBM Robert Fernandez, who is bidding to become vice governor, were also present.
“Wala pong iwanan na nangyayari sa amin,” the board member stressed, adding that his presence in the slate guarantees a balance in governance in the northern and southern parts of Catanduanes.
The group likewise brushed aside personal attacks launched against them by their political rivals.
Vice Gov. Cua said he is very confident that the Commission on Elections would again dismiss the motion for reconsideration filed by his opponent following the recent dismissal of the disqualification case against him on the ground of his alleged Chinese citizenship.
“Nakapag-serve na ako as mayor for nine years at vice governor, ngayon pa langh kinukuwestyon ang citizenship,” he remarked. “Kahit ano pang gawin nila, hindi na po magbabago yung result.”
He pointed out that the same issue has been raised against Governor Joseph Cua, with every election having the same issues, particularly the low price of abaca fiber and alleged business monopoly, recycled against them.
On the other hand, TGP Rep. Teves declared that he partnered with Cua, Laynes and Fernandez because he saw their real concern for the province and its people.
He bared that he did not consider the offer of the incumbent congressman to join him despite the latter’s being his “kumpare.”
“Kasi hindi ko po nakikita sa kanya ang tunay na sincerity na mag-represent sa probinsya ng Catanduanes,” Teves said, referring to Rep. Eulogio Rodriguez.
True, he admitted, he had an adverse relationship with the Cua family especially in 2016 when he ran against the governor on the issue of low price of abaca.
“Noong ako po ay maging congressman, wala po palang katotohanan yun,” Teves disclosed, having learned in the legislative branch that the price of abaca is dependent on supply and demand.
The TGP Partylist congressman also explained that when he was mayor and then vice governor, his wife did not go to his office and he heard the same thing with regards to Mayor Laynes.
“Pero doon sa aking partner sa Kongreso, ang namamahala doon, ang alam ko, itanong niyo na lang kay Congressman Leo kung siya ang namamahala. Kasi minsan, pag tinatanong ko siya, ang sasabihin niya sa akin, itanong ko sa kumare ko. Eh, hindi naman yun congressman, kaming dalawa ang congressman, Dapat kaming dalawa ang mag-uusap, hindi siya,” Teves said.
Undecided, “play-safe” voters hold key to victory
Campaign strategists told the Tribune, on condition of anonymity, that they expect Vice Gov. Peter “Bosste” Cua to handily win the gubernatorial race against former Catanduanes State University president Patrick Alain Azanza, retired Army Gen. Macairog Alberto and Atty. Oliver Rodulfo despite a recent survey’s finding that at least 24 percent of the voters surveyed are undecided in key races.
The poll shows Cua the choice of 51 percent of those surveyed, followed by Azanza with 19%, Alberto with 2% and Rodulfo with 1.5%.
However, the same results indicated that 19% have yet to decide on their pick for governor, with another 6% refusing to answer the question.
Political observers said this could mean that these voters are deliberately refusing to reveal their choices or are awaiting further “developments.”
In the congressional race, Virac Mayor Samuel Laynes is expected to defeat incumbent Rep. Eulogio Rodriguez, 39% to 22%, or a margin of over 17 percent.
PBM Jan Ferdinand Alberto placed third with 11% of those polled, Cedric Sanchez was the choice of just one percent while retired airplane mechanic Eugenio Salimao got even less than one percent.
Like the gubernatorial race, the number of undecided voters as well as those who are “playing safe” is considerable, at a total of 25% of those polled.
The same situation affects the battle for vice governor, with almost 25% of those surveyed claiming they have yet to choose between PBM Robert Fernandez and former Vice Gov. Shirley Abundo or refused to answer the question.
By election day, this could have an impact on the survey projections of 42% for Fernandez and 33% for Abundo.
In the highly anticipated and three-cornered mayoral contest in the capital town of Virac, the survey has Governor Joseph Cua as the choice of 41% of those polled while former Mayor Sinforoso Sarmiento Jr. has 19%, with third-termer Vice Mayor Arlynn Arcilla at third place with 8%.
The battle has the second highest percentage of undecided voters and those who played it safe, at a total of 29%.
This is topped only by the 30% registered in the race for vice mayor, where Councilor Lemuel Surtida is tipped to win with 40% while rival Councilor Rosie Olarte is the pick of 28% of those surveyed.
Meanwhile, in the scramble for five seats of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in both the East and West districts, majority of the ruling alliance’s candidates are forecast to win.
Incumbent PBMs Santos Zafe and Fred Benedict Gianan are the leaders in the West (Virac, San Andres and Caramoran), followed by Virac Councilor Xyrell Albaniel, PBM Jose Romeo Francisco and Virac Councilor Giovanni Balmadrid.
In the East that covers the other eight towns, PBMs Josevan Balidoy, Edwin Tanael, and Dean Roberto Vergara, as well as former PBMs Lorenzo Templonuevo Jr. and Arnel Turado are predicted to land in the winners’ circle.
In the capital town, third-termer PBM Rafael Zuniega is seen to lead the new set of regular Sangguniang Bayan members, with the rest of the projected winners composed of Chino Cua, Concepcion barangay captain Anthony Arcilla, Councilor Hazel Isidoro, Marcelo Alberto barangay captain Angelo Piolo Laynes, Atty. Fred Gianan Jr., Councilor Alexander Abundo, former PBM Ariel Molina and Councilor Joseph Mendoza.
Former Councilor Reynante Bagadiong, however, sits uncomfortably close to the 8th placer and could dislodge the latter come election day.
According to the campaign strategists, the survey was conducted in the last two weeks of April 2025 to gauge the chances of the ruling alliance’s candidates in their respective races.