As of October 4
TACLOBAN CITY – The upcoming May 12, 2025 elections in the region are shaping up to be a showcase of familiar names, especially in the congressional and gubernatorial races.
As of Friday, Oct.4, many of the region’s political heavyweights have already filed their certificates of candidacy (CoC), reaffirming their intent to maintain their strongholds.
Among the first to file was House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who is seeking his third and final term as the representative of Leyte’s first congressional district.
Romualdez, a prominent figure in national politics, was joined by his eldest son, Ferdinand Martin Romualdez Jr., who is running for the first time as a councilor in Tacloban City.
Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, another key member of the Romualdez family, has yet to file his CoC but is expected to seek a third term.
His son, Raymund, has already filed his CoC for vice mayor of Tacloban.
The Romualdez family has maintained a firm grip on Leyte’s first congressional district, including Tacloban City, since 1995—just a few years after their return from exile in the United States following the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986.
In their absence during the post-Marcos years, the Petilla family rose to power in Leyte.
The current governor, Carlos Jericho Petilla, is seeking his second term, a position previously held by his parents, the late Leopoldo and Remedios Petilla, as well as his younger brother, Leopoldo Dominico Petilla.
Remedios, the family matriarch, is also running for another term as mayor of Palo town.
Gov. Petilla is set to file his CoC on October 7.
Meanwhile, the Petilla family’s influence continues to extend to other political seats in the province.
Carl Nicolas Cari, nephew of Gov. Petilla, filed his CoC on Friday for a third term representing Leyte’s fifth district.
Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez also filed his CoC on Wednesday, October 2, seeking a second term as the representative of the province’s fourth district. His wife, Lucy Gomez, is running for her second term as mayor of Ormoc City.
The husband and wife tandem has ruled the district since 2010 with the election of Lucy Torres as a congresswoman after Richard was disqualified due to residency issue.
In Southern Leyte, the Mercado family continues to wield political power.
Gov. Damian Mercado, who filed his CoC on October 1, is seeking another term.
His sister-in-law, Luz Mercado, is expected to file her candidacy on October 8, aiming for her second term as well.
The Mercados have been a dominant force in Southern Leyte since 1983.
In Eastern Samar, reelectionist Gov. Ben Evardone filed his CoC on Wednesday, setting the stage for a possible extension of his rule in the province for another three years.
Evardone, who first won a congressional seat in 2004, is regarded as one of Eastern Samar’s longest-serving politicians, having also held the position of congressman from 2010 for the province’s lone congressional district.
The filing of the CoCs for those who will be running in next year’s elections is on Oct. 8.
JOEY A. GABIETA
