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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Couples emerge victorious in Negros Occidental polls

Couples emerge victorious in Negros Occidental polls

Published May 13, 2025 01:41 pm
BACOLOD CITY – Three local government units in Negros Occidental are now headed by couples who emerged victorious in the midterm elections.
THREE couples won the elections in Negros Occidental. The Mirandas (top photo), Yulos (middle), and the Arceos (photo above).  
In Kabankalan City, Mayor Benjie Miranda, a former soldier, was reelected for his second term, while his wife Divina, a teacher and political neophyte, won as vice mayor.
Miranda (43,082 votes), defeated former Mayor and former Negros Occidental Gov. Elpidio Zayco, former Vice Gov. and former sixth district Rep. Genaro Lim-ao Alvarez, John Cordero, Doc Oquias, Eliezer Duron Jr., and Gigi Mungaray.
Divina received 37,582 votes and defeated reelectionist Vice Mayor Miguel Zayco, Ali Zayco, and Rey Cordero.
The City Board of Canvassers composed of Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Kabankalan head Roland Genito Jr., City Prosecutor Noreen Gambito, and Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Ferdinand Sy, officially proclaimed the Mirandas at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall on Tuesday, May 13.
The couple thanked the people of Kabankalan for their overwhelming support. “I can’t thank you enough,” Mayor Miranda said.
Divina said that she is very happy to serve the people of Kabankalan together with her husband.
“We made a history again because this will be the first time that a couple will serve the city,” she added.
They vowed to continue working together in delivering quality public service, promoting good governance, and transparency.
Vice Mayor Zayco congratulated Divina in a statement in his Facebook page.
He thanked his supporters, volunteers, and campaign team for their dedication.
“Though we did not win this time, we showed that there are people in Kabankalan who are ready to work hard for meaningful change,” he said.
He urged the people to stand behind the new leaders and help them for a united and stronger Kabankalan.
He also thanked the people for giving him the opportunity to serve them as vice mayor. “It has been the greatest honor of my life,” he said.
The City Board of Canvassers also officially proclaimed 10 newly elected members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Kabankalan City at 4:10 a.m. on Tuesday.
They are Anne Marie Zayco, who garnered 27,894 votes; Joan Daclan-Cagape, 22,779; Bandoy Bandojo, 22,427; Madam Helen Ibañez, 21,659; Mr. Wow Guzman, 20,280; Doc Marie Vic Anacan, 20,052; Toto Dolfo Mangao,19,857; Pastor Antolo, 19,288; Macario Zafra III; 18,687; and Jose Jose Dumaguete,18,420.
In Moises Padilla town, re-electionist Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo and her husband Pimpoy Yulo were
proclaimed winners in the mayoral and vice-mayoral races.
Mayor Yulo defeated Vice Mayor Ian Villaflor for her third and final term. Pimpoy bested lone opponent Councilor Beauty Nazareno.
All the seven councilors in the Yulo slate won.
In a Facebook post, Villaflor thanked the people for their support and trusting him to serve the town for 23 years.
In Hinigaran town, Mayor Nadie Arceo and wife Vice Mayor Mary Grace Arceo swapped posts and won.

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Negros Occidental
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