Talisay Elects First Woman Mayor in Historic Win

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By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Lawyer Rowena “Weng” Lizares has made history as the first woman elected mayor of Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

Lizares received 31,706 votes, defeating former Vice Mayor Samuel Siote, who garnered 26,907 votes.

She was proclaimed the winning candidate Tuesday at the Sangguniang Panlungsod session hall, joined by her husband, outgoing Mayor Neil Lizares, and their supporters.

Following her victory, Lizares expressed her gratitude on social media.

“Today, I was proclaimed the first woman ever to have been elected as mayor of my beloved Talisay City. I am at a loss for words but then I have so much to say in gratitude,” she wrote.

This marks her first foray into politics, succeeding her husband, who completed his final term in office.

Her campaign was viewed as a continuation of the outgoing administration’s “GwapoNgaSerbisyo” slogan, rebranded under her platform “GwapaNgaPanghimanwa.”

In her statement, Lizares committed to sustaining the city’s progress and thanked her supporters, family and God for their guidance.

“To my family, what we’ve been through hasn’t been easy. You have been my source of strength. Thank you for being with me in this challenging journey,” she said.

In the vice mayoral race, Councilor Angel Gabriel Villacin won with 32,672 votes over incumbent Vice Mayor Nicolas Jalandoni III, who garnered 25,116 votes.

Villacin also thanked voters online and pledged to uphold good governance.

He extended his respect to Jalandoni, calling it a “hard-fought battle.”

Despite his defeat, Jalandoni thanked his supporters and reaffirmed his dedication to public service.

Proclaimed winners for the City Council include Engr. Emmanuel Ebro, Kenn Thomas Tirthdas, Martin Lizares, Stephen Siote, Merci Ereñeta, Yuri Tuvilla, Gelo Lacson, Welfredo Malan, Joemarie Estelloso and Engr. Erlou Penado.

La Castellana Elects First Woman Vice Mayor

In La Castellana town, Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan was elected as the first woman vice mayor.

“Thank you Lord for another blessing! I’m ready and willing to lead the legislative department,” she wrote on Facebook after her proclamation Wednesday.

She was proclaimed alongside her brother, Councilor Añejo Nicor, who won the mayoral race.

Añejo Nicor received 18,766 votes, defeating Ryan Canoy and Clea Lames Velasco, while Mangilimutan earned 18,904 votes against Nene Vera and Elvin Dela Fuente.

Their father, former Mayor Alberto “Bordig” Nicor, also returned to office as a municipal councilor, ranking seventh with 14,056 votes.

Despite his Parkinson’s disease, he said he remains committed to serving the public.

Mangilimutan, who became La Castellana’s first woman mayor in 2016, is completing her final term before transitioning to the vice mayor’s post.