Self-styled patriots call incumbent Iloilo town mayor an ‘outsider’

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The Miagao Patriots describe incumbent town mayor who is running for reelection a 'pangayaw' who was originally from neighboring Guimbal

ILOILO, Philippines — Erstwhile losing mayoral candidate Leopoldo “Doods” Moragas has thrown his support behind Macario “Doc Mac” Napulan, a former three-term mayor of Miagao, Iloilo, who wants to retake city hall in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections. 

Moragas, who lost to Richard Garin Jr. during the 2022 polls, took to Facebook on multiple occasions to endorse of Napulan and the Team Tumandok, a local political group.

Moragas is part of the Miagao Patriots, a group which strongly condemned Garin’s decision to run last 2022 elections, saying that he was not originally from Miagao.  The self-styled patriotic group says their town deserves homegrown leaders.

In a video posted in his personal page, Moragas is seen raising Napulan’s hand. Moragas also praised Napulan’s government and public service track record, notably his achievements in health, education, and infrastructure during his previous terms. 

In a post last May 7, Moragas said the Miagao Patriots will continue campaigning against corrupt politicians who are exploiting the town’s resources and manipulating government programs for personal gain. 

Aside from Napulan, Moragas also backed other Team Tumandok candidates — Doc Salve Napud for vice mayor, along with their slate of councilors and allied provincial candidates. 

“If the 15,000 of us remain solid, we have the power to dictate the result of this election now that we have the followers of Dr. Macario Nicer Napulan and Dr. Salve Napud! Itanum sang hugot sa pensar kag kasingkasing ang (pag-kontra) sa mga kabulastugan nga gintudlo sa aton nga lideres kag mga kabataan. Kay karon sila ang naga-control, gusto naman nila hugakumon ang tanan, pati na ang aton nga pondo, negosyo, kalupaan, kag mga dunang manggad nga wala sang sincero nga pagbalakid,” Moragas said on social media.

(If the 15,000 of us remain solid, we have the power to dictate the result of this election now that we have the followers of Dr. Macario Nicer Napulan and Dr. Salve Napud! Let us keep in mind and in heart the importance of resisting the deceitful acts of our current leaders. Now that they hold power, they seek to control everything, including our funds, our businesses, lands, and even our natural resources, without showing genuine concern for the people.) 

The group Miagao Patriots have raised concerns over the residency Garin, whom they call “pangayaw,” a term for outsiders intervening in local affairs. They said Garin was from Guimbal, Iloilo, and questioned the legitimacy of his candidacy based on the residency requirements of the Election Code.

“Please review our Election Code, particularly the residency requirements for anyone wanting to run for an elective position in public office. Those qualified are the Tumandoks. The unqualified or faking qualifications in order to run are what we call Pangayaw,” a statement from one of Moragas’ Facebook posts.

However, records showed that in early 2021, a year before the 2022 elections, Garin Jr. had already transferred his residency to Miagao, which legally complied with Section 6 of RA 2259, that requires a candidate for mayor to be a resident of the municipality for at least one year prior to his election.  — Rappler.com

Jasmine Kris Caleza is a campus journalist from iWrite taking up BA Communication and Media Studies at the University of the Philippines Visayas. She is an Aries Rufo Fellowship candidate from April-May 2025.