At A Glance
- Candidates allied with the dominant political party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) are leading in the congressional races in all three districts of Albay.
Map of Albay (Map data)
Candidates allied with the dominant political party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) are leading in the congressional races in all three districts of Albay.
This was based on the results of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey held from March 29 to April 5, 2025. The poll was conducted at the start of the local campaign for the May 12 elections.
Results of the survey showed that in the 1st district, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Raul Angelo 'Jil' Bongalon has overtaken his main rival, Tabaco Mayor Krisel Lagman (Liberal Party), to secure the lead.
Bongalon’s voter support surged from 36 percent in March to 44 percent, giving him a 3-percentage point advantage over Lagman, who is roughly 7,000 votes behind.
Bongalon, a lawyer, serves as vice chairperson of the House Committees on Ethics and Privileges and on Appropriations in the current 19th Congress.
He has also actively participated in key budget deliberations and sponsored the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Reform Bill. His strong advocacy for housing and resettlement initiatives for informal settler families further underscores his commitment to community development.
Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Raul Angelo "Jil" Bongalon (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
In the 2nd district, former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Christopher "Kito" Co has experienced a dramatic upswing in support, jumping 13 percentage points to 49 percent voter backing, positioning him far ahead of his opponent, Caloy Loria (PDP-Laban), who has dropped to 27 percent.
Co now leads by a substantial 22-point margin, which equates to approximately 71,000 votes.
In the 3rd district, incumbent Polangui Mayor Adrian Salceda continues to maintain his lead with 42 percent of voter support. Fernando Cabredo (National Unity Party) has gained ground with 30 percent, Salceda still leads by 12 percentage points, or about 42,000 votes.
Salceda, who is known for his effective leadership as mayor, has championed numerous initiatives aimed at improving local governance and infrastructure development in Polangui.
Lakas-CMD is headed by its president, House Speaker and Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez. Lakas is arguably the muscle and motor behind the Marcos administration’s expansive coalition.
Albay--home to the Mayon Volcano--plays a significant role in national governance due to its pioneering efforts in disaster resilience and climate change adaptation, as well as its economic contributions to the Philippines.
A significant agricultural producer, with major crops including coconut, corn, and rice, the province contributes to the national food supply.