ILOILO CITY — Outgoing Antique Gov. Rhodora “Dodod” Cadiao has conceded to Rep. AA Legarda, the younger brother of Sen. Loren Legarda.
Cadiao concedes Antique congressional race to Sen. Legarda's brother
By Tara Yap
ANTIQUE Gov. Rhodora Cadiao addresses supporters after conceding the congressional race to Rep. AA Legarda on Tuesday, May 23. (Antique PIO)
“The Antiqueños have spoken and I respect the opinions of our kasimanwas (townmates),” Cadiao addressed supporters outside the Antique Provincial Capitol on Tuesday, May 13.
Based on partial results, Cadiao is considerably lagging behind Legarda. As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, Cadiao had 99,800 votes while Rep. Legarda had 175,665.
Cadiao and Legardas were once formidable allies.
In 2019, Cadiao and Sen. Legarda ended the 30-year reign of the Javier political clan.
Cadiao became the governor and Sen. Legarda was congresswoman.
After one term, Legarda returned to the Senate and her younger brother AA replaced her as representative.
Rep. Legarda’s 2022 victory paved the way to the rift in the alliance with the impending exit of Cadiao, who is serving her third and final term as provincial governor.
Cadiao campaigned in the 2025 elections on being a “tumandok” (native) of Antique.
She has repeatedly said the Legardas are not real natives of Antique as they never grew up and really resided in the province.
Sen. Legarda has long maintained their Antiqueño roots, especially their maternal grandparents hailed from Pandan town.