34 Candidates Vie for Iloilo Provincial Posts

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) for the May 2025 midterm elections in Iloilo concluded on October 8, with 34 aspirants competing for provincial positions, including governor, vice governor, congressman, and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

The week-long filing, held at Festive Walk Mall in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, ran from October 1 to 8, peaking with 11 candidates filing in the final two days.

Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Reinier Layson praised the overall success of the COC filing despite some challenges.

“I am happy to note that for the province of Iloilo, the filing of certificates of candidacies was very successful. There were quite a few challenges, but generally, the process went smoothly. We thank our partners and everyone involved for ensuring an orderly filing,” he said.

Layson added that all received COCs would be submitted to the Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) Law Department for processing, which will eventually release the official list of certified candidates.

“By next week, our election officers will be conducting Election Registration Board meetings and hearings. This is to review the applications of registered voters since the registration deadline was on September 30,” he added.

Layson also noted that candidates would only be officially recognized once the campaign period begins in February and March 2025.

Aspirants for provincial posts:

Governor:

1. Arthur Defensor Jr. – Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP)
2. Mary Frances Chiloe Noble – Independent

Vice Governor:

1. Nathalie Ann Debuque – PFP
2. Mark John Velasco – Independent
3. Raul Tupas – Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (LAKAS-CMD)

Congressman:

1st District:

1. Janette Garin – LAKAS-CMD
2. Victor Tabaquirao – Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban)
3. Rosendo Langusta – Independent

2nd District:

1. Kathryn Joyce Gorriceta – LAKAS-CMD

3rd District:

1. Lorenz R. Defensor – National Unity Party (NUP)
2. Thelma Langusta – Independent

4th District:

1. Ferjenel Biron – Nacionalista Party (NP)
2. Charlie Sustento Jr. – Reform PH Party

5th District:

1. Niel Tupas Jr. – Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC)
2. Binky April M. Tupas – LAKAS-CMD

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members (by District):

1st District:

1. Jo Ann Geremiranda – LAKAS-CMD
2. Rica Jane Garin – LAKAS-CMD
3. Elston Saquin – Independent
4. Juan Miguel Flores – Independent

2nd District:

1. Rolito Cajilig – PFP
2. June Mondejar – PFP

3rd District:

1. Mark Palabrica – PFP
2. Jason Gonzales – Liberal Party
3. Eugenio Rodrigo Palu-ay – LAKAS-CMD
4. Anthony Bennette Margarico – LAKAS-CMD

4th District:

1. Rolando Distura – NP
2. Dominic Paul Oso – NP
3. Antonio Parcon – Bunyog Party
4. Jonathan Pinuela – Reform PH Party
5. Felicitio Dolar – Independent

5th District:

1. Rolex Suplico – Uswag Ilonggo
2. Niel Tupas III – PFP
3. John Carlo Ong – LAKAS-CMD
4. Nielito Tupas – LAKAS-CMD

As of October 7, 536 candidates had filed COCs for provincial and municipal positions across Iloilo’s 42 municipalities and two cities.

Dr. Kathryn “Kathy” Gorriceta, wife of incumbent Iloilo Second District Congressman Michael “Mike” Gorriceta, is set to run unopposed for the district’s congressional seat in the 2025 elections.

She filed her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) on the last day, October 8, at Festive Walk Mall, with no other contenders filing by the close of the period.

Accompanied by her husband, Dr. Gorriceta highlighted her plans to build on the progress achieved during his term.

In an interview, she emphasized her focus on improving district hospitals, supporting teachers’ compensation, boosting local tourism, and empowering various sectors.

“We will continue the good programs from his leadership, but as a doctor, my focus will be on upgrading hospital facilities, strengthening the organization, and improving the referral system in our district hospitals and rural health centers,” she said.

“We will also work on supporting education, promoting tourism, and empowering our people,” she added.

Mike Gorriceta confirmed that he would not seek re-election or any other political office, opting to complete his current term.

“We want only one of us to run in politics, so I’m stepping aside. Kathy has done well with her advocacies, and it’s time to give her the spotlight,” he explained.

He also hinted at the possibility of pursuing a national position or other opportunities after his term ends.

Dr. Gorriceta acknowledged that her husband’s consideration of a vice-gubernatorial run influenced her decision to run.

“Mike was thinking about running for vice governor, and he told me that if he did, he would entrust the 2nd District to me. That’s why I started joining his political events and activities, and we saw a positive reception from the people,” she said.

Dr. Gorriceta gained recognition as one of the 45 most fashionable women during the 2019 State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa, underscoring her influence and presence in the community.

Mike Gorriceta’s political career spans over a decade, having served as Pavia councilor from 2007 to 2013, mayor from 2013 to 2019, and congressman since 2019.

As of July 2024, the Iloilo Provincial Commission on Elections (COMELEC) reported that the 2nd District has 219,534 voters, the smallest voter base among the five districts in the province, which has over 1.6 million registered voters.