Negros Occ. Lawmaker, 4 Board Members Unopposed in 2025

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By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Second District Representative Alfredo “Thirdy” Marañon III is running unopposed in the 2025 midterm elections.

In contrast, the other six congressional districts, including Bacolod City, will see one-on-one contests.

“I thank the Lord that I have no opponent,” Marañon, who is seeking a second term, told Daily Guardian on Wednesday.

Marañon is not the only candidate in the Second District running unopposed. His brother, Arthur Christopher, and incumbent Provincial Board Member Pal Guanzon, who is seeking a third term, are also unchallenged. This is according to the official list of 2025 election candidates from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), as released to the media on Wednesday.

Similarly, in the First District, Don Salvador Benedicto Mayor Marxlen de la Cruz and incumbent Provincial Board Member Araceli Somosa, who is also seeking re-election for a third term, are running unopposed.

Meanwhile, the congressional race in the First District will be a battle between returning lawmaker Jules Ledesma and Erie Mahinay.

In the Third District, first-term Victorias City Mayor Javi Benitez, who filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the congressional post, will face Joel Bantigue.

The Fourth District race will pit Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer against former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Director Lea Delfinado.

In the Fifth District, incumbent lawmaker Dino Yulo, who is seeking a second term, will be challenged by Provincial Board Member Anton Occeño.

Former Hinoba-an Mayor Ernesto Estrao will face off against Rep. Mercedes Alvarez-Lansang, who is seeking re-election for a second term in the Sixth District.

In Bacolod City, former Mayor Evelio Leonardia and incumbent Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez will have a rematch—this time for the congressional seat.

The vice gubernatorial race will be between Provincial Board Member Joeben Alonso and Silay City housewife Rosemarie Dreyfus.

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who is seeking a third term, will face four challengers: Ferdinand “Bongbong” Diego, Ernesto Librando, JPaul Octaviano, and Wantan Palanca.

At the local level, many mayoral and vice mayoral races have become family affairs.

In Kabankalan City, Mayor Benjie Miranda is seeking a second term with his wife, Divina, as his running mate. They are up against former Mayor Elpidio Zayco and his nephew, Miguel Zayco, for mayor and vice mayor, respectively.

In a surprise move, former Sixth District Congressman Genaro Alvarez filed his COC for Kabankalan mayor, with his niece, Alice Zayco, running for vice mayor.

In EB Magalona town, Matthew Lois Malacon, son of outgoing Mayor Marvin Malacon, is running for mayor. His father is his running mate for vice mayor. If elected, Matthew would become the youngest mayor in the province at 23 years old.

In Isabela town, second-term Mayor Irene Montilla has swapped places with her son, Juan Miguel, who is running for mayor. They will be challenged by Miguel Yulo, son of Fifth District Rep. Dino Yulo, and former Isabela Vice Mayor Renato Malabor Jr.

In La Castellana, outgoing Mayor Rhummyla Nicor Mangilimutan is running for vice mayor, with her brother, Councilor Añejo Nicor, running for mayor. Mangilimutan’s son, Ronie, and her father, a former mayor, are both running for councilor.

In Binalbagan town, the husband-and-wife tandem of Mayor Alejandro Mirasol and Vice Mayor Mary Ann Mirasol are seeking re-election. Alejandro is being challenged by former ally and ex-mayor Manuel Aranda.

In Hinigaran town, Mayor Nadie Arceo and his wife, Vice Mayor Mary Grace Arceo, have swapped positions for the 2025 polls.