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ALBAY, Philippines – Across six provinces, business moguls and determined neophytes are challenging established political clans in a battle for the soul of the Bicol region. Long-standing rivalries and power struggles are also taking center stage as the local campaign season kicks off.
Aside from former Vice President Leni Robredo’s homecoming election bid in Naga City, Rappler listed some of the most intense matches in the upcoming election per province that we need to track as the local campaigns start on Friday, March 28.
Albay
Long-standing politician Albay 2nd District Representative Joey Salceda returns to the gubernatorial race after completing three terms in the House. In 2007, Salceda’s unexpected win as an independent candidate against Fernando Gonzalez, who was the incumbent governor and was backed by the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, completely changed the province’s political landscape. He subsequently won three consecutive terms as governor, and another three terms as representative of the second district of Albay.
Accompanying Salceda are his three nephews, Raymond Adrian, Juan Miguel, and Jesciel Richard, and his brother Jesus “Jesap” Sarte Salceda, Jr., all vying for various local positions.
Salceda is challenged by Noel Rosal, also a decades-long politician in Legazpi City, accompanied by his wife Geraldine, who hopes to reclaim the city’s mayoral post.
Despite winning in the 2022 polls, the Rosal couple is embroiled in controversies leading to the nullification of their wins. Noel was disqualified for violating the election spending ban, while Geraldine was suspended for vote-buying.
Rosal’s present gubernatorial bid hangs in a cloud. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division, in a decision penned on December 27, 2024, disqualified Rosal from rejoining the gubernatorial bid, but the Supreme Court (SC) issued a temporary restraining order on January 21.
Rosaler Sara, Jr., an independent and neophyte candidate, is running against the two political giants of Albay after suspended Albay Governor Grex Lagman withdrew from the gubernatorial race. Lagman was suspended because of an alleged P8 million jueteng bribe he received.
Speaking of the Lagmans, Grex’s sister and Tabaco City incumbent mayor, Krisel Lagman-Luistro, is running for 1st District representative. The Lagman family has successfully held on to this post for decades.
Their late father, Edcel Greco Lagman, was district representative from 1987 to 1998, 2004 to 2013, and 2016 until his death earlier this year.
After her father reached his initial term limit, Krisel stepped in, winning the same position and serving from 1998 to 2004. Still keeping it in the family, her younger brother, Grex, ran for and held the office from 2013 to 2016.
Krisel’s return to the Congress is being challenged by her former mentee, Raul Angelo “Jil” Bongalon.
Bongalon is currently one of the incumbent representatives of Ako Bicol Party list (AKB), a regional partylist group which has won seats in the House of Representatives since 2010. Bongalon is a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, which prominent Bicolano businessman and Ako Bicol first nominee Elizaldy Co formerly chaired.
Co has served as a nominee of AKB since 2019. His brother, Christopher Co — who served as the representative of AKB from 2010 to 2019 — is running for representative of Albay’s 2nd District. Another sibling, Diday Co, teamed up with Salceda as the latter’s vice governor.
The Co siblings own the SunWest Group Holding Company Incorporated, making them one of the most influential business tycoons in the construction and real estate businesses not only in Bicol, but also in the entire country. SunWest has been able to secure the majority of governor contracts in Bicol since 2016.
Another business mogul, Caloy Loria, who owns Makapa Corporation, is challenging Christopher Co for 2nd District representative, while three other candidates, including Jun Alegre, Te Arandia, and Gil Goyena, are racing against Diday Co for vice governor.
Sorsogon
Sorsogon remains a stronghold of entrenched political dynasties, where the Escudero and Hamor families wield significant influence in politics and business.
Beyond Senator Chiz Escudero‘s national presence, the Escudero family’s grip extends deeply into the province. His sister, Marie Bernadette “Dette” Escudero, faces no opposition in her bid for reelection in the 1st District.
Their cousin, Jun Escudero, is running for vice governor alongside incumbent Governor Jose Edwin “Boboy” Hamor.
Boboy Hamor was previously chief executive officer of Aremar Construction Corporation — a company that continues to secure public project awards in Casiguran.
Hamor’s bid for reelection as governor faces opposition from Edwin Zuñiga and Cattleya So. Jun Escudero faces challengers Ryan Dioneda and Willy Larosa for vice governor.
Incumbent Sorsogon City Mayor Ester Hamor, the wife of the governor, is also seeking reelection. Meanwhile, Ester and Jose’s daughter, Minez “EM” Hamor, is also vying for reelection as Casiguran, Sorsogon mayor.
Catanduanes
Catanduanes has become synonymous with the Cua family’s political reach; the dynasty’s influence has permeated its political landscape since the late 1980s.
Incumbent Governor Joseph “Boboy” Cua served as governor initially from 2007 through 2013. After a brief break, from 2013 to 2016, when he reached his term limit, he won 3 more consecutive terms from 2016 to 2022.
Now, in a strategic move, he has passed the gubernatorial mantle to his brother, incumbent Vice Governor Peter “Boste” Cua.
Boste now faces a challenge from Patrick Azanza, a political neophyte and former Catanduanes State University president, along with independent candidates Macky Alberto and Oliver Rodulfo.
However, the Cua family’s dominance is under threat. Boste’s bid for governor is teetering on the edge of disqualification.
On February 26, Azanza filed a petition with the Comelec, alleging that Cua’s birth certificate lists their parents as Chinese citizens, casting doubt on his eligibility to hold public office.
The Comelec’s decision hangs in the air, creating a tense uncertainty on whether the Cua dynasty’s long-standing rule in the provincial office will end with Boste’s disqualification or whether they will maintain their grip on power.
Meanwhile, Boboy Cua is now eyeing the mayoral post of Virac, Catanduanes, racing against Doctor Arlynn Arcilla and lawyer Posoy Sarmiento. – Rappler.com/with Gemma B. Mendoza
