Negros Oriental, Siquijor Proclaim 2025 Midterm Poll Winners

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By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – The Commission on Elections has officially proclaimed the winners of the May 12 midterm elections in Negros Oriental and Siquijor provinces.

In Negros Oriental, Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria and his running mate, Siaton Mayor Fritz Diaz, won fresh mandates as governor and vice governor.

Sagarbarria first assumed office in May 2023 after the death of Governor Carlo Jorge Joan Reyes, who had succeeded Governor Roel Degamo following his assassination in March of the same year.

Sagarbarria defeated five opponents, including former Bayawan City Mayor Henry Teves, brother of ousted Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., who was implicated in Degamo’s killing—a claim denied by their camp.

In 2022, Degamo had unseated Henry Teves after the Comelec credited to him the votes of a nuisance candidate named “Ruel Degamo.”

“The people have spoken,” Sagarbarria said, thanking the 365,020 voters who supported him.

“Your love and solidarity inspire me every day to serve you better,” he said in a May 13 social media post.

He pledged to work tirelessly for the province’s progress.

Vice Governor-elect Diaz, nephew of Pamplona Mayor and newly elected Rep. Janice Degamo, defeated two rivals.

In an interview, Diaz described his win as “God’s will” and vowed to address pressing issues like illegal drugs and gambling while expanding development programs.

Winners in the congressional races are Emmanuel Iway (1st District) and Ma. Isabel Sagarbarria (2nd District).

Newly elected members of the Provincial Board are:

1st District: Angel Amador, Jessica Jane Villanueva, Rusty Serion
2nd District: Nyrth Christian Degamo, Erwin Macias, Woodrow Maquiling Sr., Jun Apolinario Arnaiz Jr.
3rd District: Peter Paul Renacia, Marcelo Adanza, Carlo Remontal

Elected mayors of Negros Oriental’s 24 local government units are:

Amlan: Manuel Jose Sycip
Ayungon: Dennis Amancio
Bacong: Lenin Alviola
Bais City: Luigi Marcel Goni
Basay: Jory Wagas
Bayawan City: John Raymond Jr.
Bindoy: Enieco Jabagat
Canlaon City: Jose Chubasco Cardenas
Dauin: Galicano Truita
Dumaguete City: Manuel Sagarbarria
Guihulngan City: Filomeno Reyes
Jimalalud: Hazel Tuanda
La Libertad: Lawrence Limkaichong Jr.
Mabinay: Ernie Uy
Manjuyod: Raffy Alipio Andaya
Pamplona: Nikko Ramirez
San Jose: Mel Nick Logronio
Santa Catalina: Peve Ligan
Siaton: Albert Ator
Sibulan: Jose Abiera
Tanjay City: Jose Orlino
Tayasan: Susano Antonio Ruperto
Valencia: Edgar Teves
Vallehermoso: Aloma Monica Serion

Sagarbarria urged all elected officials to lead with “wisdom, bravery and a deep sense of moral commitment.”

Voter turnout in Negros Oriental reached 85.23 percent, with 831,963 voters casting their ballots.

In Siquijor province, Governor Jake Vincent Villa secured a second term, while Provincial Board Member Atty. Dindo Tumala was elected vice governor.

The governor’s father, Zaldy Villa, was reelected as Siquijor’s lone district representative.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government in the newly established Negros Island Region extended congratulations to the winners, including mayors of Siquijor’s six municipalities:

Enrique Villanueva: Ruth Aque
Larena: Cyrus Vincent Calibo
Lazi: Phil Moore Largo
Maria: Roselyn Asok
San Juan: Rubilyn Ragay
Siquijor (capital): Adam Duhaylungsod

Siquijor recorded a voter turnout of 91.84 percent, or 74,758 voters.

Meanwhile, newly elected Bacolod officials under Team Asenso called for unity and cooperation following the elections.

“We invite every Bacolodnon—regardless of political affiliation—to join us in our shared mission to uplift our communities and bring lasting development to our city,” the group said in a statement.

They acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed confidence that unity, respect and collective effort could overcome them.

“Let us move forward with one purpose: to create a Bacolod that provides hope, opportunity and a better life for all,” they added.

The team also recognized and respected the service of former Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and Councilor Renecito Novero, whose contributions, they said, are part of Bacolod’s story.

They emphasized that “in democracy, leadership changes, but love for our city must always remain constant.”

Winning candidates under Team Asenso include Mayor and now Congressman-elect Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, Congressman and now Mayor-elect Greg Gasataya, Councilor and now Vice Mayor-elect Claudio Jesus Puentevella, and the following councilors:

Caesar Distrito, Israel Salanga, Em Ang, Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Jason Villarosa, Celia Flor, Dindo Ramos, Bobby Rojas, Pao Sy, Homer Bais and Al Victor Espino.

Benitez defeated Leonardia in the congressional race, while Familiaran and running mate Novero lost to Gasataya and Puentevella in the mayoral and vice mayoral races, respectively.

It marked Benitez’s second victory over Leonardia, after defeating him in the 2022 mayoral race.

Team Asenso thanked the public for their trust and support.

“With your overwhelming support, we are ready to continue building a better, more progressive Bacolod—one that is inclusive, compassionate and a forward-looking Super City,” they said.