By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY — The 2025 local elections in Negros Occidental are expected to stir excitement as couples, siblings, and relatives team up for key positions.
In Kabankalan City, incumbent Mayor Benjie Miranda, who is seeking re-election for a second term, announced that he will be teaming up with his wife, who will run as vice mayor.
Miranda will face former Kabankalan City Mayor and former Governor Isidro Zayco. Zayco’s running mate will be incumbent Vice Mayor Miguel Zayco, a close relative.
In Binalbagan town, Mayor Alejandro Mirasol and his wife, Vice Mayor Mary Ann Mirasol, are both seeking re-election.
Mayor Mirasol is expected to be challenged by former town mayor Manuel Aranda.
In Moises Padilla, incumbent Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo announced during the recent general assembly of the United Negros Alliance (UnegA) that she will be teaming up with her husband, Felix Matias Segundo “Pempoy” Yulo.
Mayor Garcia will be challenged by incumbent Vice Mayor Ian Villaflor, a former political ally.
In Hinigaran town, incumbent Mayor Nadie Arceo will switch positions with his wife, Vice Mayor Mary Grace Arceo.
Meanwhile, in Isabela, the mother-and-son tandem of Mayor Irene Montilla and Vice Mayor Juan Miguel Montilla is likely to seek re-election for their final terms.
Rumored to challenge Mayor Montilla is Miguel Yulo, the son and chief of staff of 5th District Representative Dino Yulo.
In La Castellana, with Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan on her last term, she has endorsed her brother, Anejo Nicor, who is set to run for mayor in tandem with either their father, incumbent Vice Mayor Alberto Nicor, or herself.
In Himamaylan City, both Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tongson and Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao refuted reports of a break-up. Both declared that their partnership remains strong.
The TOGA (Tongson-Gatuslao) tandem is “still strong and formidable,” Tongson said, with Gatuslao by his side during the recent UnegA general assembly.
