UNOPPOSED. Negros Occidental Second District Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (center) is running unopposed in his bid for a second term in the May 2025 midterm elections. He is joined by Sagay City mayor Narciso Javelosa Jr. (left) and vice mayor Leo Rafael Cueva, who are switching posts, with Cueva also being unchallenged in the mayoral race. (Photo courtesy of Sagay City Information and Tourism Office)
BACOLOD CITY – A total of 20 candidates in various key posts in Negros Occidental are running unopposed in the May 2025 midterm elections, records of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office as of Thursday showed.
Uncontested seats can ensure victory to the lone candidate with only at least one vote, according to the Comelec.
In the first district, incumbent board member Araceli Somosa and Don Salvador Benedicto mayor Laurence Marxlen dela Cruz are assured of the two seats on the Provincial Board.
Also without opponents are reelectionist mayor Renato Gustilo of San Carlos City and councilor Richard Jaojoco of Toboso, who will return as the town’s top official after his wife, mayor Madonnah Jaojoco, steps down next year.
Vice mayors Christopher Paul Carmona of San Carlos City, Florendo Dinapo of Calatrava, and Maria Luisa dela Cruz of Toboso are all unopposed in their respective reelection bids.
Former councilor Jugin Jewel Bandolon is also the lone candidate for vice mayor in Don Salvador Benedicto.
Rep. Alfredo Marañon III is unchallenged for a second term in the second district, comprising the cities of Cadiz and Sagay and the municipality of Manapla.
His brother, Sagay City councilor Arthur Christopher Marañon, and incumbent board member Sixto Pal Guanzon also do not have opponents, assuring them the two seats in the Provincial Board.
Also unopposed are reelectionist Cadiz City mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. and his running mate for vice mayor, nephew John Vincent Escalante, and Sagay City vice mayor Leo Rafael Cueva, who is running for mayor.
In the third district, Victorias City vice mayor Abelardo Bantug II is also unchallenged for mayor, as well as reelectionists mayor Jose Maria Alonso of Pontevedra and vice mayor Anthony Gerard Suatengco of Pulupandan, both in the fourth district.
In the sixth district, the seats being eyed by reelectionist mayor John Paul Alvarez and his son, John Paulo, a candidate for vice mayor, are also uncontested, the same with the vice mayoral post in Sipalay City, where the incumbent Oscar Montilla is the only contender. (PNA)
