By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – Three local government units in Negros Occidental will be led by political couples after husband-and-wife tandems won in the May 2025 midterm elections.
In Kabankalan City, incumbent Mayor Benjie Miranda won a second term with 43,082 votes, defeating a crowded field that included former Mayor and Governor Isidro Elpidio Zayco, former Vice Governor and 6th District Rep. Genaro Lim-ao Alvarez, John Cordero, Doc Oquias, Eliezer Duron Jr. and Gigi Mungaray.
His wife, Divina Miranda, a teacher and first-time candidate, was elected vice mayor with 37,582 votes, beating incumbent Vice Mayor Miguel Zayco, Ali Zayco and Rey Cordero.
The couple was proclaimed on May 13 at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall by Comelec-Kabankalan head Roland Genito Jr., City Prosecutor Noreen Gambito and Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Ferdinand Sy.
In their victory speeches, the Mirandas expressed gratitude to Kabankalan residents.
Divina highlighted the historic nature of their win, saying, “This is the first time a couple will serve the city.”
Both pledged to uphold good governance and transparency.
Outgoing Vice Mayor Miguel Zayco congratulated Divina in a Facebook post and thanked his supporters.
He urged everyone to support the new leadership for a united and stronger Kabankalan.
“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.
Ten city councilors were also proclaimed, led by Anne Marie Zayco with 27,894 votes, followed by Joan Daclan-Cagape, Bandoy Bandojo, Madam Helen Ibanez, Mr. Wow Guzman, Doc Marie Vic Anacan, Toto Dolfo Mangao, Pastor Antolo, Macario Zafra III and Jose Dumaguete.
In Moises Padilla, Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo won her third and final term by defeating Vice Mayor Ian Villaflor.
Her husband, Pimpoy Yulo, was proclaimed vice mayor after beating lone challenger Councilor Beauty Nazareno.
The Yulo couple won by a landslide, with all seven candidates under their slate also securing council seats.
Villaflor, who served Moises Padilla for 23 years, thanked his constituents in a post-election message.
In Hinigaran, the mayor and vice mayor successfully swapped positions.
Mary Grace Arceo was elected mayor with 27,138 votes, defeating two opponents, while her husband, Nadie Arceo, the sitting mayor, won as vice mayor with 33,673 votes.
The switch marked a continuation of the Arceo couple’s political leadership and governance in the town.
