Two Capiz Mayors Lose in 2025 Midterm Elections

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Two incumbent mayors in Capiz lost their re-election bids in the May 12, 2025 midterm elections.

Mayor Vicente Bermejo of Panay town lost to Capiz 1st District Board Member Jonathan “Sonny” Besa.

Bermejo garnered 12,473 votes, while Besa received 16,396 in a two-way contest.

Bermejo’s running mate, former Mayor Dante Bermejo, also lost the vice mayoral race to Sangguniang Bayan Member Julius Asis by 1,000 votes.

In Cuartero, Mayor Tito Mayo was defeated by SB Member Stephen Openiano, who received 11,655 votes.

Mayo’s running mate, SB Member Abner Falcis, won the vice mayoral race.

Meanwhile, 12 incumbent mayors in Capiz succeeded in their re-election bids.

They include Arnold Perez of Pilar, Receliste Escolin of President Roxas, Henry Tumlos of Pontevedra, Katherine Belo of Panitan, Raymond Malapajo of Maayon, and Ronnie Dadivas of Roxas City in the 1st District.

Also re-elected were Felipe Neri Yap of Ivisan, Jose Villanueva of Sapian, Dante Rizal Eslabon of Sigma, Jose Jimbo Barruela of Dao, Khuku Castro of Dumalag, and Matt Hachuela of Dumarao in the 2nd District.

Leodegario Labao Jr. of Mambusao, Donah Valdemar of Jamindan and Dante Palomar of Tapaz also won mayoral races in their respective towns.