Among them was Gov. Evardone
TACLOBAN CITY — The final day of filing certificates of candidacy (CoCs) for the May 12, 2025, elections in Eastern Visayas saw several unexpected developments.
Among those making headlines was Governor Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar, who withdrew his CoC for reelection, allowing his son, Ralph Vincent “RV” Evardone, to take his place as a gubernatorial candidate.
Initially, RV had filed his CoC for a councilor position in their hometown of Sulat.
The elder Evardone, who was set to run for his third and final term as governor, explained that he was stepping aside to volunteer for the senatorial candidates of the ruling party, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.
His decision led to his son’s substitution in the gubernatorial race, where RV will now face Quinapondan Mayor Rafael Asebias.
In Palompon, Leyte, another surprise unfolded when incumbent Mayor Ramon Oñate withdrew from his reelection bid.
His 25-year-old daughter, Mary Dominique Oñate, will now run for mayor in his place.
The elder Oñate, who was seeking a second term, had been dismissed from office by the Office of the Ombudsman after being found guilty of grave misconduct and dishonesty related to the misuse of government funds during his time as vice mayor.
Mary Dominique, in a local media interview, revealed that her candidacy stemmed from what her family perceived as political persecution against her father.
“I never wanted this,” she admitted. “But sometimes, life calls us to fight battles we didn’t plan for. My father’s work in Palompon is not done, and I will see to it that his legacy is honored, not tarnished by those who owe him their very positions.”
Her father has been active in politics since 1995, having served as mayor of Palompon for several terms. Mary Dominique will face former mayor Georgina Arevalo in the upcoming mayoral election.
Meanwhile, in Eastern Samar’s lone congressional district, what was expected to be an easy reelection campaign for Representative Maria Fe Abunda has turned into a contest.
Former Guiuan Mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzales, who also served as the province’s vice governor, filed his CoC as an independent candidate. Abunda, on the other hand, is running under the Lakas-CMD party.
Gonzales said he was compelled to run after being encouraged by several incumbent mayors who are facing challengers allied with Abunda.
This move comes after Abunda and 4Ps party-list Representative Marcelino Libanan reportedly forged an agreement, with Libanan agreeing not to challenge her reelection in exchange for her not fielding candidates against his allied mayors.
“I vow to serve our people here in Eastern Samar,” Gonzales pledged.
In Northern Samar, another surprising development occurred when Governor Edwin Ongchuan opted not to seek reelection.
Instead, he is running for the province’s second congressional district, with his cousin, Representative Harris Christopher Ongchuan, taking his place in the gubernatorial race.
Both cousins are currently serving their second terms in their respective offices.
JOEY A. GABIETA
