BY DAVE SUAN ALBARADO
In a surprise move, former Tagbilaran City mayor Atty. Dan Neri Lim has filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) to run for governor of Bohol, setting up a showdown with incumbent Governor Aris Aumentado.
Lim, a former ally of Aumentado, has aligned himself with the Padayon Bol-anon forces, but said he is running as an independent candidate despite having a certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) from the Liberal Party.
Lim has been an active advocate for good governance and accountability in Bohol.
As the vice chair of the Office of Governance, Accountability, and Reform (OGAR) in Bohol, Lim has been instrumental in pushing for transparency and fighting against corruption.
OGAR was created by an executive order signed by Gov. Aumentado in 2022 upon his assumption in office, and hailed OGAR’s existence, in last year’s State of the Province Address (SOPA), as a flagship of good governance mantra at the Capitol.
Lim’s efforts include investigating and filing cases involving anomalous deals and ensuring that due process is followed in prosecuting officials involved in alleged corruption.
Lim continues to be a vocal critic of questionable transactions and policies, such as his recent opposition to the sale of Bohol Light Company Inc. (BLCI) shares to Primelectric Holdings Inc.
Observers said that Atty. Lim’s dedication to promoting accountability and reform has made him a maverick figure in Bohol’s political landscape.
The 72-year-old Lim, a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), explained that he decided to run as an independent due to the equity of the incumbent rule, as Aumentado is a member of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, which is part of the same supercoalition as the NPC.
Lim’s running mate is former Board Member Gerry Garcia, who lost to Cong. Maria Vanessa Aumentado in the 2022 elections.
Lim said his decision to run was motivated by a desire to complete an “unfinished business” and to give the people a choice, rather than allowing Aumentado to run unopposed.
“I am running to avoid a scenario where the incumbent governor has no opponent,” Lim said in an interview on DYTR’s Newsmakers ug Uban Pa on Oct. 8, 2024.
Lim also expressed his support for former governors Rene Relampagos and Atty. Arthur Yap, who he said had given him their consensus to run.
Meanwhile, whistleblower Ronie Orillosa, who was initially considered to run for governor, said the fight is not against the incumbent or between political parties, but to promote awareness of issues affecting Boholanos.
Orillosa pointed out the importance of having a choice in a democracy, saying that “democracy will be in great peril if good men will do nothing to oppose those on the other side.”
Lim’s candidacy has added a new twist to the gubernatorial race in Bohol, which is set to take place in the coming months.
In other related news, Lim has thrown his support behind Chatto as congressman, despite their past differences. He has also endorsed Modesto Membreve as a congressional bet in the second district and lawyer Makdo Castañares in the third district.
Lim has also criticized the current administration, calling them “Limited Edition” and implying that they lack the capacity to lead the province effectively.
Orillosa has also slammed politicians who may not have the skills or caliber to lead a province such as Bohol, saying that they are not afraid to lose the elections but are more afraid of winning without the ability to lead and give a better life to Boholanos.
In a related development, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) reported a peaceful period for filing certificates of candidacy (COC) in Bohol, which ended on Oct. 8, 2024.
According to COMELEC provincial director Eliseo Labaria, the eight-day filing period, which started on Oct. 1, was generally incident-free at both the provincial and town levels.
A partial count showed 880 aspirants filed their COCs, including 215 females.
The breakdown includes 87 candidates for municipal mayoralty posts, 79 for vice mayoralty posts, and 668 for municipal councilor positions.
Three candidates are vying for the post of governor, while three others are running for vice governor. Additionally, 22 candidates are seeking provincial board member seats, and eight are running for congressional seats.
The gubernatorial candidates include incumbent Erico Aristotle Aumentado, Hardy Leopando, and Atty. Dan Neri Lim. The vice gubernatorial candidates are Nicanor Besas, Cris Abella Santos, and Gerry Garcia.
In the congressional races, Atty. Jordan Pizarras, vlogger and former City Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap, and incumbent Atty. Edgar Chatto are running in the first district.
Yap, who recently took his oath as a member of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, filed his COC as the candidate of Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP).
In the second district, incumbent Maria Vanessa Aumentado will face off against Modesto Membreve, while in the third district, incumbent Kristine Alexie Tutor will compete against lawyer McAldous Castañares.
Bohol Aspirants File Candidacies for Local and Provincial Positions
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has released the list of aspirants who have filed their certificates of candidacy for various positions in the upcoming elections. Here’s a rundown of the candidates for governor, vice governor, congressional seats, board members, mayors, and vice mayors in Bohol:
Provincial Positions:
Governor:
– Erico Aristotle Aumentado
– Erastus Leopando
– Dan Neri Lim
Vice Governor:
– Santos Abella
– Nicanor Besas
– Gerardo Garcia
House of Representatives (1st District):
– Edgardo Chatto
– Marybelle Dela Serna
– Jordan Pizarras
– John Geesnell II Yap
House of Representatives (2nd District):
– Maria Vanessa Aumentado
– Modesto Membreve
House of Representatives (3rd District):
– Mc Aldous Castañares
– Kristine Alexie Tutor
Board Member (1st District):
– Venzencio Arcamo
– Jonas Revil Cacho
– Aldner Damalerio
– Margaux Herrera-Caya
– Lucille Lagunay
– Amon Rey Loquere
– Mutya Kismet Macuno
– Emmanuel Bongcac Ramasola
Board Member (2nd District):
– Tomas Jr. Abapo
– Fernando Boyboy Estavilla
– Frans Garcia
– Vierna Mae Boniel Maglasang
– Jiselle Rae Aumentado Villamor
Board Member (3rd District):
– Angilita Toribio Abundo
– Tita Baja
– Dionisio Joseph Balite
– Nathaniel Binlod
– Elpidio Bonita
– Renato, Jr. Espinosa
– Greg Jala
– Arnielito Olandria
– Dominic Villafuerte
Mayors and Vice Mayors (1st District):
Tagbilaran City:
– Mayor: Jane Yap (PFP), Atoy Torralba (PRP)
– Vice Mayor: Adam Jala (NP), Toto Veloso (NUP)
Albur:
– Mayor: Don Ritchie Buates (NUP), Michael Mantiza (PFP), Elias Jipos (IND)
– Vice Mayor: Jose Dompol (NUP), Dagohoy Samar (PFP)
Antequera:
– Mayor: Jose Mario Pahang (NP), Lil Nunag (NUP), Amet Rebosura (IND)
– Vice Mayor: Cecil Rebosura (NP), Austin Nicole Canini (PFP)
Baclayon:
– Mayor: Alvin Uy (PFP), Derwin Cuajao (NUP)
– Vice Mayor: Jhodel Cabahug (NUP), Benny Uy (NUP)
Balilihan:
– Mayor: Trishia Chatto (NUP), Adonis Roy Olalo (PFP)
– Vice Mayor: Jun Baliong (NUP), Tata Assunto (PFP)
Calape:
– Mayor: Julius Herrera, Junie Yu (NUP)
– Vice Mayor: Roldan Damalerio, Joyce Josol (NUP)
Catigbian:
– Mayor: Benjie Oliva (PFP), Jesus Jaum, Jr (ABAG PROMDI), Fortunato Concon (IND)
– Vice Mayor: Esteban Angilan (NUP), Joseph Digaum (ABAG PROMDI)
Corella:
– Mayor: Manju Lim (PFP)
– Vice Mayor: Danilo Bandala (PFP), Judylinda Sarmiento (IND)
Cortes:
– Mayor: Ira Lim (NP), Rudy Uy (PFP)
– Vice Mayor: Alan Pondoc (NP), Niño Lumanas (PFP)
Dauis:
– Mayor: Miriam Sumaylo (PFP), Roman Bullen (NUP)
– Vice Mayor: Luciano Bongalos (PFP), Nikki Delgado (NUP)
Loon:
– Mayor: Yul Lopez (NUP), Leizl Go (PFP)
– Vice Mayor: Pedro Leteratos (NUP), Rose Lacierda (PFP), Jocelyn Nazareno (IDP)
Maribojoc:
– Mayor: Romulo Manuta (PDP), Jojo Roxas (NUP), Jose Arocha (IND), Lourdes Concepcion Endo (IND)
– Vice Mayor: Boyet Castilla (PFP), Arnie Turco (NUP)
Panglao:
– Mayor: Boy Arcay (NUP), Alexis Ting (IND), Noel Hormachuelos (PFP), Briccio Velasco (PRP), Leonila Montero (NUP), Aaron Beltran (IND)
– Vice Mayor: Daisy Delamcaba (NUP), Doyet Dumaluan (Promdi), Dennis Hora (LP)
Sikatuna:
– Mayor: Justiniana Ellorimo
– Vice Mayor: Olim Calimpusan
Tubigon:
– Mayor: Rene Villaber (NUP), Marlon Amila (PFP)
– Vice Mayor: Delia Lasco (NUP), Lord Ronald Vaño (PFP)
Mayors and Vice Mayors (2nd District):
Bien Unido:
– Mayor: Joselyn Villarias (LP), Rene Borenaga (LDP), John Felix Garcia (Lakas)
– Vice Mayor: Leonardo Querubin Jr (LDP), Veer Angelo Garcia (Lakas)
Buenavista:
– Mayor: Dave Duallo (Lakas), Ramil Melencion (IND)
– Vice Mayor: Elsa Tirol (Lakas), Anatalio Pacaldo Jr (IND)
Clarin:
– Mayor: Eugeniano Ibarra (Lakas)
– Vice Mayor: Fernando Camacho, Jr. (Lakas)
Dagohoy:
– Mayor: Germinio Relampagos (NUP), Sofronio Apat (Lakas)
– Vice Mayor: Roel Lagroma (NPC), Vicente Lanoy Jr (Lakas)
Danao:
– Mayor: Ma. Celeste Lerion (Lakas), Rey Bantilan (IND)
– Vice Mayor: Jose Cepedoza (Lakas)
Getafe:
– Mayor: Cary Camacho (Lakas)
– Vice Mayor: Casey Shaun Camacho (Lakas)
Inabanga:
– Mayor: Dexter Ancla (LAKAS), Jono Jumamoy (NUP), Allan Jumamoy (IND)
– Vice Mayor: Hermogenes, Jr. Cenabre (LAKAS), Ronnie Melicor Cenabre (IND), Alger Millanes Jumamoy (IND), Josephine Socorro Jumamoy (NUP)
PCPG (Pitogo):
– Mayor: Kenneth Estavilla, Audie Solon (IND)
– Vice Mayor: Wilma Dusal
San Miguel:
– Mayor: Ian Gil Mendez (PDP), Faustino Bulaga (LAKAS-CMD)
– Vice Mayor: Claudio Bonior (NPC), June Reign Reyes (LAKAS-CMD)
San Isidro:
– Mayor: Antonio Jr Agocoy, Dioadado Jr. Gementiza
– Vice Mayor: Jorge Cosmod, Frederick Samuya
Talibon:
– Mayor: Janeth Garcia (LAKAS-CMD), JP Flores (PRP)
– Vice Mayor: Dave Evangelista (LAKAS-CMD)
Trinidad:
– Mayor: Roberto Cajes (LDP), Fernando Erio
– Vice Mayor: Joan Imboy (NPC), Deuel Puracan
Ubay:
– Mayor: Marita Enojales (IND), Arnold Bacolod (INP), Eutiqio Bernales (PDP), Violita Reyes (LAKAS-CMD), Victor Bonghanoy (Reporma-PH), Jieblando Mendez
– Vice Mayor: Costan Reyes (LAKAS-CMD), Maximo Boyles (Reporma- PH)
Mayors and Vice Mayors (3rd District):
Alicia:
– Mayor: Marciano Ayuban Jr (Lakas CMD), Cesyl Balahay (NPC), Victoriano Torres III (PDP-Laban), Chito Bersaluna (Peoples Reform Party)
– Vice Mayor: Ruel Carias (Lakas), Bryan Bulabos (NPC), Jasmine Molina (PDP Laban), Rolando Ayuban (PRP), Danilo Huiso (Ind)
Anda:
– Mayor: Angelina Simacio (Lakas), Metodio Amper (NPC)
– Vice Mayor: Rubena Porter (Lakas), Ferdinand Berogoy (NPC)
Batuan:
– Mayor: Zeniza Bulalaque (Lakas), Emmanuel Tumanda (Partido Federal ng Pilipinas)
– Vice Mayor: Antonio Jumawid (Lakas), Julito Pancho (PFP)
Bilar:
– Mayor: Norman Palacio (Lakas), Celso Dalagan (NPC)
– Vice Mayor: Ranulfo Maligmat (Lakas), Marino Omac (NPC)
Candijay:
– Mayor: Thamar Olaivar (Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipinas)
– Vice Mayor: Christopher Tutor (Nacionalista Party), Edward Besania (IND)
Carmen:
– Mayor: Conchita delos Reyes (Lakas)
– Vice Mayor: Ricardo Francisco Toribio (Lakas)
Dimiao:
– Mayor: Randolph Ang (Lakas), Catherine Guivencan (IND)
– Vice Mayor: Noel Hamlag (Lakas), Robert Taguisa (IND)
Duero:
– Mayor: Al Taculad (Lakas), Emma Fe Bajade (NPC)
– Vice Mayor: Hernes Bajao (Lakas), Jeffrey Torralba (NPC)
Garcia Hernandez:
– Mayor: Jess Baja (Lakas), Jade Bautista Acapulco (NPC)
– Vice Mayor: Antonia Ladaga (Lakas), Mary Rose Edubas (NPC)
Guindulman:
– Mayor: Albino Balo (Lakas), Sinforiano Lavastida (PROMDI), Lilian Lloren (IND)
– Vice Mayor: Jimmy Busano (Lakas)
Jagna:
– Mayor: Teofisto Pagar Jr. (Lakas), Mark Louie Monungolh (NPC)
– Vice Mayor: Wilvinz Vinalon (Lakas), Derrick Virtudazo (NPC)
Lila:
– Mayor: Arturo Piollo II (Nacionalista Party)
– Vice Mayor: Regina Salazar (NP)
Loay:
– Mayor: Hilario Ayuban (Lakas)
– Vice Mayor: Tiburcio Bullecer, Jr. (Lakas), Gabriel Espiritu (IND)
Loboc:
– Mayor: Raymond Jala (Lakas), Erwin Bacquial (NPC)
– Vice Mayor: Helen Alaba (Lakas), Leo Bagiuo, Jr. (NPC)
Mabini:
– Mayor: Ongie Grace Bernales Lim (Lakas), Juanito Jayoma
– Vice Mayor: Myra Fostanes- Colis (Lakas), Helen Natan
Pilar:
– Mayor: Wilson Pajo (Lakas), Francisco Auguis (Nacionalista)
– Vice Mayor: Wilfredo Bernante (Lakas), Zenaido Jaspe (Nacionalista)
Sevilla:
– Mayor: Emmanuel Caberte (PFP)
– Vice Mayor: Juliet Dano (PFP), Gabino Gumapac (IND)
Sierra Bullones:
– Mayor: Michael Doria (Nacionalista), Simplicio Maestrado Jr (Lakas), Ireneo Perocho (IND)
– Vice Mayor: Jose Fredo Buslon (Nacionalista), Alfredo Gamalo (Lakas)
Valencia:
– Mayor: Dionisio Neil Balite (Lakas), Ma. Katrina Lim (NPC)
– Vice Mayor: Aristotle Cometa (Lakas), Mhie Flor Palaca (NPC)
Sagbayan:
– Mayor: Ricardo Suarez (NPC), Jimmie Jean Torrefranca (PDP-Laban)
– Vice Mayor: Monching Jabines (NPC), Joven Mondigo (PDP-Laban)
(Source: Comelec)