The filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2025 elections began this week, marked by strategic moves from various political figures and intensified security measures across the province.
Actor Cesar Montano’s rumored gubernatorial bid remains unconfirmed, despite reports linking him to Padayon Bol-anon.
Sources indicate two other potential candidates are being considered by the party, though their identities remain undisclosed.
Former Gov. Arthur Yap is reportedly considering a party-list congressional run.
In Tagbilaran City, Cogon barangay kagawad Heidi Ingking became the first to file her COC for city council.
Running as an independent candidate affiliated with Akbayan Citizen’s Party, she advocates for human rights and health initiatives.
Former councilor Angelita Toribio-Abundo filed for board member of the third district as an independent candidate affiliated with Ang Probinsyano party list.
Despite running independently, she has pledged support to incumbent Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado, board member Nick Besas, and Cong. Kristine Alexie Tutor.
In Catigbian, mayoralty aspirant Benjie Oliva confirmed joining the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) while maintaining support for Cong. Edgar Chatto of the National Unity Party.
Oliva is running to replace incumbent mayor Elizabeth Mandin-Pace, who declined reelection.
A crucial development in Candijay saw Mayor Thamar Olaivar announcing she won’t seek reelection.
Vice Mayor Christopher Tutor has reportedly declined to run for mayor, with Councilor Along Olandria emerging as a potential candidate.
In Panglao, Mayor Edgardo Arcay filed for reelection, while former mayor Doloreich Dumaluan seeks the vice mayoral position. The two former allies have since parted ways politically, with Dumaluan aligning with current Vice Mayor Noel Hormachuelos.
Dauis Vice Mayor Marietta Sumaylo filed her COC for mayor, partnering with former Vice Mayor Luciano Bongalos.
They face incumbent Mayor Roman Bullen and potential candidate Councilor Nikki Bolos-Delgado in what shapes up to be a three-way race.
Meanwhile, the Bohol Police Provincial Office has implemented stricter security measures at Comelec offices until the October 8 filing deadline.
Col. Lorenzo Batuan, provincial police chief, announced the deployment of personnel and response teams to maintain order during the filing period.
In Tagbilaran City, lawyer Abeleon Damalerio has withdrawn his plans to run for a seat on the Tagbilaran City council, sources said Tuesday.
Damalerio, a close ally of incumbent first district congressman Edgar Chatto, will instead focus on supporting Chatto’s re-election bid, according to reports.
Chatto, who is seeking a third and final term as congressman, has been a key figure in the Bohol politics.
Damalerio’s decision to withdraw from the councilor race leaves a vacancy in the ticket led by Coun. Atoy Torralba and former Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso.
Two potential replacements for Damalerio are being considered, including a lawyer and a former barangay official, sources said.
The final lineup of the Torralba-Veloso ticket is expected to be confirmed soon, as candidates are set to file their certificates of candidacy by October 8.
Other members of the ticket include Odyssus Glovasa, Marina Salamanca, Gerry Madanguit, Rey Tirol, Arlene Karaan, Joseph Cacho, Joseph Lamdagan, Elmer Taldo, and lawyer Daphne Aseñero.
In Panglao, a relatively new face has emerged in the Panglao mayoral race after lawyer Alexis Ting filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) on October 3, 2024, as an independent candidate.
Ting, who previously served as a legal consultant to incumbent Mayor Edgardo Arcay, will face stiff competition from three other opponents, including Arcay himself, who is seeking a second term.
Vice Mayor Noel Hormachuelos and former Vice Mayor Brian Velasco are also vying for the top post in the popular tourist destination of Panglao, Bohol.
Arcay filed his COC on October 2, 2024, as he seeks to retain his seat in the municipality.
In a separate development, farmer Cris Santos Abella has filed his COC to run for Bohol vice governor as an independent candidate.
Abella has a history of running in past elections, but has yet to secure a win.
The filing of COCs for the upcoming elections is ongoing, with candidates set to finalize their lineups ahead of the October 8 deadline.
In Loboc, Bohol, two-term councilor Erwin Baquial on Wednesday filed his certificate of candidacy to run for mayor of Loboc, vowing to bring about change and make the municipality more inclusive.
Baquial, who filed his candidacy on October 2, is running alongside former councilor Leo Baguio Jr., who is seeking the vice mayoral post.
In a press conference, the tandem presented their ticket, which includes seven councilor aspirants: Joven Ancla, Boboy Baguio, Louie Digal, Ralph Lim, Arnel Mandin Malinao, Hazel Labunog Montoya, and Alex Zafra.
Baquial’s vision for Loboc includes making the town more business-friendly, with the aim of creating more employment opportunities for its residents.
In Loon, Bohol, Provincial Health Officer (PHO) Dr. Tomas Cezar Lopez has resigned from his post to run for mayor of Loon, a large town in Bohol with more than 60 barangays.
Lopez, a former three-term mayor of Loon, filed his certificate of candidacy on October 3, 2024, in a bid to return to the town’s top post.
He is running alongside Dodong Literatus as his vice mayoral candidate, with a mix of veteran and new faces completing their ticket.
Lopez’s decision to run comes as incumbent Loon mayor Elvi Relampagos is barred from seeking re-election after serving three consecutive terms, which will end next year.
Loon is one of the largest towns in Bohol in terms of land area, with 67 barangays, making the mayoral post a significant prize in the upcoming elections.
In the First District, Marybelle de la Serna, the widow of former Bohol OIC governor Victor de la Serna, has filed her candidacy for the first district representative of Bohol, in a surprise move that shakes up the already crowded field.
De la Serna, who lost to incumbent Rep. Edgar Chatto in the 2022 elections, submitted her certificate of candidacy on October 2, 2024, at the Commission on Election provincial office.
Her bid for the congressional seat comes as a surprise, as she was not initially considered among the top contenders.
The first district of Bohol is shaping up to be one of the most competitive, with at least five candidates vying for the post, including Chatto, de la Serna, lawyer Jordan Pizzaras, Dr. Mutya Kusmet Macuno, and John Geesnell “Baba” Yap.
De la Serna’s decision to run again is seen as a bold move, as she seeks to capitalize on her late husband’s legacy and make a comeback in the world of politics.
The campaign period officially begins in March 2025.