Defensor Endorses Debuque for Vice Guv; Rallies Full Slate

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Running unopposed for his third and final term, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. officially launched his 2025 election campaign with vice gubernatorial candidate Anilao Mayor Lee Ann Debuque on Saturday, March 30, at Tamasak Arena in Barotac Nuevo.

Defensor, who filed under Partido Federal ng Pilipinas—the party of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.—urged Ilonggos to support his full slate, emphasizing the importance of continuity in governance.

“If we are the ones who will continue working anyway, then we should move forward with a full slate,” he said.

“Give us the vice governor we chose—Mayor Lee Ann Debuque of Anilao.”

Nathalie Ann Debuque, a three-term mayor who first took office at 22, is seeking her first provincial post.

“Our governor chose me to be his next vice governor,” she told supporters.

“He trusted me to be his partner in advancing progress across the barangays of Iloilo province.”

Acknowledging the demands of the role, Debuque said she is prepared for the responsibility.

“This is a difficult task for me, but as I have done before when facing immense pressure, I will not crack, I will not break,” she said.

“I will stand by my responsibility because I am ready to be vice governor.”

Debuque is running against 5th District Rep. Raul “Boboy” Tupas of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, who previously served as vice governor from 2013 to 2016.

Defensor said governance and innovation are key pillars of his administration, which guided his choice of running mate.

“In my years of observation, Lee Ann made it to my list of potential vice governors,” he said.

“We want someone young, intelligent, competitive, and dynamic for the role.”

Defensor was first elected governor in 2019 and re-elected in 2022.

As he nears the end of his tenure, he and Debuque present themselves as the team for continuity and grassroots development.

“Going back to the basics of politics, no matter what happens in our campaign, the most effective way to reach our people is through house-to-house visits and handshake campaigns,” Defensor told his allies.

Joining the tandem were former 5th District Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., who is seeking a return to Congress; 4th District Rep. Ferjenel Biron and 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor, both seeking re-election; Uswag Ilonggo Party-list Rep. Jojo Ang Jr.; and 2nd District Rep. Michael Gorriceta, whose wife, Dr. Kathryn Joyce Gorriceta, is running to succeed him.

Senatorial candidates Imee Marcos, Francis Tolentino, and Camille Villar also attended the event to endorse the provincial slate.

The event gathered municipal mayors, vice mayors, Sangguniang Bayan members, barangay captains, and Sangguniang Kabataan officials from towns across the province.