By Ambo Delilan
This story is republished with permission from Rappler as part of a content-sharing partnership for the 2025 Philippine elections.
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines – The upcoming May 12 midterm elections in Negros Occidental are shaping up to be a fierce contest for four of the province’s seven congressional districts, including Bacolod City.
In the 4th District, the race between incumbent Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer and former Department of Public Works and Highways regional director Lea Delfinado is one of the most anticipated.
Ferrer, who is seeking to succeed his term-limited wife, Representative Juliet Marie Ferrer, faces a strong challenge from Delfinado, a former assistant secretary at the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.
Jeffrey Ferrer versus Lea Delfinado
Delfinado has the political backing of the family and group of the late Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., a known ally of the late strongman Ferdinand E. Marcos.
Despite their high-profile backing, both candidates have committed to a clean campaign.
“I have high respect for women, and it’s inappropriate to attack a woman unless provoked,” Ferrer said.
The district, which includes the cities of Bago, La Carlota, and Pontevedra, among others, has 247,306 registered voters, with Bago City accounting for the highest number at 103,138.
In the 5th District, reelectionist Representative Dino Yulo faces a serious challenge from first-term provincial board member Anton Occeño.
Dino Yulo versus Anton Occen̈o
Occeño claims to be backed by ex-president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s family, adding that he expected more support from the Arroyos to become evident during his scheduled miting de avance in Himamaylan City.
Yulo, who has a strong base after defeating Marilou Arroyo-Lesaca by a large margin in 2022, remained calm and focused on grassroots campaigning. The district includes the cities of Binalbagan and Hinagaran, with 301,233 registered voters, the majority from Himamaylan.
Meanwhile, in the 6th District, Representative Mercedes Alvarez-Lansang, daughter of former congressman Genaro Alvarez, faces a tough challenge from former Hinoba-an Mayor Ernesto Estrao.
Mercedes Alvarez-Lansang versus Ernesto Estrao
Estrao, a three-term mayor, has positioned himself as a candidate of the masses, claiming the contest represents “kamote versus spaghetti,” symbolizing the poor against the wealthy political elite.
The district, which includes Kabankalan and Sipalay, has 310,217 voters, with Kabankalan as the largest voting locality.
In Bacolod City, the battle for the congressional seat between ex-mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia and incumbent Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez is heating up again. This is their second encounter after Benitez defeated Leonardia by over 60,000 votes in the 2022 mayoral race.
Leonardia, running under the banner of Vice Mayor and mayoral candidate El Cid Familiaran’s team, has criticized Benitez’s administration, particularly over a P6.5-billion city hall loan and the controversial takeover of Manokan Country by SM Prime Holdings.
Benitez, however, is confident in his readiness for the contest, saying, “I’m now more than ready compared with our 2022 battle.”
Bacolod City alone has 355,880 registered voters.
Alfredo Abelardo Benitez versus Evelio Leonardia
In the remaining districts, the races appear less competitive. Ex-congressman Julio “Jules” Ledesma IV, the husband of actress Assunta de Rossi, is facing Erie Mahinay in the 1st District, while Representative Alfredo “Thirdy” Marañon III is running unopposed in the 2nd District.
In the 3rd District, actor-turned-politician Javier Miguel Benitez, son of Mayor Benitez, is being challenged by Joel Bantigue, who remains relatively unknown.
The election outcomes in these districts could reshape the political landscape of Negros Occidental in the coming years. – Rappler.com
