Defensor taps Anilao mayor as vice governor

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. has selected Anilao Mayor Nathalie Ann Debuque as his running mate for vice governor in the 2025 midterm elections, a decision that surprised many by overshadowing several prominent figures who had been considered for the role in recent months.

Defensor announced his partnership with Debuque during the Monday flag-raising ceremony at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol on September 30, one day before the start of the filing of certificates of candidacy.

On the same day, Defensor also swore in Debuque as a member of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), the political party of the governor and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

In the 2022 elections, Debuque ran under the Nacionalista Party. She has served as mayor of Anilao since 2016 and is currently in her final term, having succeeded her mother, Ma. Theresa Debuque.

“I am still a neophyte in politics, but I have enough experience in public service. You can trust me to bring more success and pride to Iloilo,” Debuque said in an interview.

“I will stand strong in this responsibility. I will not let the governor or my province down.”

Defensor highlighted Debuque’s intelligence, dynamism, and competitiveness as reasons for his choice, emphasizing these qualities align with his administration’s MoRProGRes Iloilo (Movement for Resurgent Progress) development program.

“We are happy to have our partner in MoRProGRes Iloilo, especially in the new direction we are taking under Bagong Pilipinas,” Defensor said, noting that while other political figures expressed interest, Debuque’s candidacy had the PFP’s backing.

When asked if he viewed the potential candidacy of 5th District Representative Raul “Boboy” Tupas as a threat, Defensor said, “Our approach is one election at a time. We don’t let other factors cloud our decision-making.”

Debuque firmly stated she will not withdraw her candidacy, even if she faces Tupas, but expressed hope for an amicable resolution.

“If Cong. Boboy decides to run, we cannot stop him. Ideally, I hope he gives me the opportunity to serve the people. If not, I will stand by my decision.”

4th District Representative Ferjenel “Dr. Ferj” Biron welcomed Tupas’ potential candidacy but expressed hope for a resolution within the administration’s Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, a coalition comprising PFP, Nacionalista Party, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

Tupas has yet to officially declare his candidacy but recently joined Lakas-CMD.

Biron expressed pride in Debuque’s selection, noting that it brings a “fresh air of leadership” to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

“We assure the governor of 100 percent support from the fourth district. By all means, we will make our vice governor win.”

Biron added that the Defensor-Debuque alliance could mark a historic moment, bringing the Biron and Defensor families together in Iloilo’s political landscape once again.