A clear majority of incumbent local officials won in the recent May 12, 2025 local elections, with the results not favoring barangay captains who aspired for higher posts.
All seven members of Sangguniang Panlalawigan who ran for reelection – Dr. Santos Zafe, Sangguniang Kabataan Provincial Federation president Fred Benedict Gianan, Jose Romeo Francisco, Edwin Tanael, Josevan Balidoy and Dean Roberto Vergara tasted victory.
They were joined by Virac Councilors Xyrell Albaniel and Giovanni Balmadrid, TGP chief of staff and former PBM Lorenzo Templonuevo Jr., and former PBM Arnel Turado.
Of the other four incumbents who ran for higher provincial posts, only two won – Congressman Eulogio Rodriguez and Vice Governor-elect PBM Robert Fernandez – while Virac Mayor Samuel Laynes, who tried to unseat Rodriguez, and Vice Governor Peter Cua, aiming to replace his brother Joseph as governor, fumbled their respective bids.
Half of the six (6) 2022 election losers and former provincial officials lost: Atty. Oliver Rodulfo, former Vice Governor Shirley Abundo and perennial candidate Fernando Chavez.
Only 18 of the 39 women who are filed their candidacies for various posts were declared victors.
Former Vice Gov. Abundo failed to reclaim her post while only two of the five women in mayoral contests won: Caramoran Mayor Glenda Aguilar and Viga Mayor-elect Vice Mayor Jennifer Tuplano.
None of the three female aspirants for vice mayor tasted victory but 16 of the 32 women in the race for SB seats in 10 municipalities managed to get into the winners’ circle.
Only five of the 13 incumbents who ran for other posts were proclaimed winners: Vice Mayor Tuplano and Mayor Emeterio Tarin who will take over her post, as well as Councilors Felix Romero of San Andres, Reynato Teston of Bato and Lemuel Surtida of Virac who will be presiding officers after June 30.
Thirty-seven (37) incumbent councilors will serve another term, out of the 54 who ran while only seven of the 17 barangay captains who wanted to be in the town council earned their seats.
Three of the seven lucky village chiefs are from Baras – Glenn Dalma of Western Poblacion, Ariel Samonte of Tilod and Cristian Nikko Tanael of Puraran – while the others are from Panganiban – Sanny Vallespin of Maculiw and Ian Fernandez of Cabuyoan – and Virac – Anthony Arcille of Concepcion and Angelo Piolo Laynes of Marcelo Alberto.
Former councilors and 2022 election losers did not fare better than the barangay captains, as only 18 out of 49 aspirants were proclaimed winners.
With no Cua among the incoming elective officials for the next three years, a realignment of forces is expected to happen after their oathtaking this June 30.
At least one PBM is predicted to jump over the fence into the Azanza camp while most of the mayors are likely to cooperate with the new administration’s initiatives, plans and programs.
But incoming Vice Governor Fernandez is expected to solidify the unity of his majority group in the provincial board.
According to reliable sources, the Cua camp would use the next three years to rest and recover from the battering it received in the May 12 polls.
As Cong. Rodriguez, Governor-elect Azanza and Virac Mayor-elect Sarmiento reveled in the limelight after their triumph, grief-stricken allies visited the residence of Gov. Cua to show their support.