Yulo, Occeño Draw Big Political Backers in Negros Race

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – The race for the 5th District congressional seat in Negros Occidental is heating up as the May 12, 2025 midterm elections draw near.

Incumbent Rep. Dino Yulo is being challenged by Provincial Board Member Anton Occeño in what has become a high-stakes one-on-one contest.

The face-off has drawn attention as both candidates are backed by prominent political figures.

Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez recently announced his support for Occeño.

In response, Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano declared his support for Yulo, whom he described as a fellow member of Lakas-CMD.

Paduano added that Yulo has the full backing of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, leader of the political party.

In addition to Benitez, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has also expressed full support for Occeño’s bid.

Both Benitez and Lacson are key members of Love Negros, a local political group in the province.

Benitez is a member of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), of which Occeño serves as provincial chairman.

Lacson, a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, said he supports Occeño due to the party’s alliance with the PFP.

Meanwhile, Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante, secretary-general of the United Negros Alliance and a local Lakas-CMD leader, has declared support for Yulo.

The district’s six mayors are also split between the two candidates.

Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Garcia, La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan and Hinigaran Mayor Nadie Arceo are backing Yulo.

On the other hand, Himamaylan Mayor Raymund Tongson, Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol and Isabela Mayor Irene Montilla support Occeño.

Isabela Mayoral Race Draws Interest

Another closely watched contest in the 5th District is the mayoral race in Isabela town.

The battle features two young contenders from prominent political families.

Vice Mayor Juan Miguel Montilla, son of incumbent Mayor Irene Montilla and the late former mayor Enrique “QM” Montilla, is running against Miguel Angelo Yulo.

Yulo is the son of Rep. Dino Yulo and grandson of former Isabela Mayor Emilio Gonzalez Yulo.

The race is being dubbed “the battle of the two Miguels,” as both candidates are in their 30s.

The Montilla and Yulo families were once political allies, with the late Enrique Montilla supporting Dino Yulo’s congressional bid in 2016.