Negros Mayors Reject Political Dynasty Claims

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By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Two lady mayors from central Negros dismissed allegations that their families are building political dynasties in their respective towns.

“It’s the people’s decision if they elect us,” said Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Yulo-Garcia, who is seeking re-election for a third term, with her husband Felix “Pimpoy” Yulo as her vice mayor.

Both filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) for the 2025 midterm elections over the weekend, along with their seven candidates for the municipal council, following a Mass at the town church.

“The people always have the choice during the election every three years, if they want us to serve them or not,” Garcia emphasized. She added, “We are elected, so I don’t think it amounts to a political dynasty.”

Garcia shared that her husband was chosen as her running mate by the town’s barangay captains, with 14 out of 15 pledging support for their ticket.

The couple survived a pre-election ambush in 2019 while campaigning for her first term, which resulted in the deaths of her brother and nephew.

Garcia said she agreed to have her husband as her running mate because “I am sure of his loyalty,” ensuring the smooth delivery of basic services and the implementation of programs and projects.

The incumbent vice mayor, Ian Villaflor, a party mate, has decided to challenge her in the 2025 elections but has yet to file his COC.

In addition to her husband as vice mayor, her nephew, Councilor Vincent Garcia, is running for re-election under her ticket.

Joining them during the COC filing was 5th District Representative Dino Yulo, who expressed his full support for the couple. Yulo acknowledged that while the concept of a political dynasty is “not far-fetched,” he echoed Garcia’s sentiment, saying, “The decision should be left to the people.”

“It is up to them to decide if a dynasty is good for them or not,” Yulo added.

He is set to file his COC for re-election for a second term today, October 8, 2024, the last day of COC filing for the midterm elections. His son, Miguel Angelo Yulo, will also file his COC for mayor of Isabela town, which is part of the 5th district.

In La Castellana, Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan, when asked about claims that her family is establishing a political dynasty, said, “Not really, because it is still the people who will decide if they want us to serve them or not.”

She explained that her family has been involved in public service for decades, starting with her father, whose career began as a barangay councilor before eventually serving three terms as town mayor.

Mangilimutan succeeded her father as town mayor and is now serving her last term, with her father as vice mayor and two brothers as councilors. Her mother, who passed away two years ago from COVID-19, had also served as Liga ng Barangay President and municipal councilor.

Mangilimutan is set to file her COC for vice mayor today, with her brother, Councilor Anejo Nicor, running for mayor. Her son, Ronie, and her father are running for council seats under their slate.

She stressed that political dynasties do not prevail in the Philippines because “we are in the position due to elections, so it depends on the people of La Castellana if they will vote for us.”

“Our opponents are also related to each other, but the people did not elect them,” she noted. “They call it a dynasty if we win, but if it’s the other way around, what do they call it?”

“We are here because of the trust and confidence of the people of La Castellana,” Mangilimutan said.