It’s less than two years before the scheduled mid-term elections, but it’s becoming clear that politics in Laguna province is about to get more heated up as local politicos jockey for prospective positions.
It’s less than two years before the scheduled mid-term elections, but it’s becoming clear that politics in Laguna province is about to get more heated up.
What? This early?
Well, as we all know in the Philippines, preparations and maneuvers for the next elections often start years in advance, sometimes lasting even as the votes are being cast.
And here in Laguna province, where local politics (while peaceful to an extent) tend to be highly-contested, rumors and speculations are now swirling about who’s going to run against who in the local races.
Gubernatorial race
Let’s start with the race to the Provincial Capitol, where it’s now all but confirmed that incumbent Santa Rosa City Representative Dan Fernandez will once again try his luck at the gubernatorial race.
Fernandez, to recall, ran for governor in the 2004 elections but was defeated by former Governor Teresita “Ningning” Lazaro.
While the Santa Rosa City (and, let’s point out, former 1st District) congressman already has a province-wide and a nationwide reputation, it does not mean that he’ll have an easy race, as incumbent Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez, now on his third and final term, has firmly planted his brand of “Serbisyong Tama” in the province.
That ready-made foundation will be an easy foothold for whoever the incumbent governor chooses to succeed him at the capitol, whether it’s Vice Governor Karen Agapay or his wife, 2nd District Representative Ruth Mariano-Hernandez.
Meanwhile, former 3rd District Representative Sol Aragones, who was defeated by Hernandez in the gubernatorial race in the 2022 elections, is now planning to return to Congress via her “Akay ni Sol” partylist group.
‘Masalimuot na pulitika’
Meanwhile, in San Pedro City, there are signs that some local leaders of the city will try their best to unseat Mayor Art Mercado, whose first term in office had been marked by “radical changes” in the city governance.
One of the most intriguing guesses local political analysts now have is who will 1st District Representative Ann Matibag, who is now clearly flexing her political muscles, field in the mayoralty race.
Among the top guesses include Matibag’s husband, former Cabinet Secretary Melvin Matibag, and incumbent Barangay San Antonio captain Eugenio “Jun” Ynion, who, according to sources, has been “very loud” on social media these past days. (Ynion, to recall, also ran against former Mayor Lourdes Cataquiz in 2016 but was defeated.)
By the way, the Cataquizes, who were badly beaten by the Mercado camp in the 2022 elections, have reportedly decided to “lie low” for the time being and see who will emerge as the top contenders for the mayoralty race.
It should be noted, however, that most of the four members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod who belonged to the Cataquiz camp have apparently made their peace with the Mercado administration and have, for the most part, cooperated with the current administration in its goal to make the city “Una sa Laguna.”
One of them, Councilor Bernadeth Olivares, is allegedly planning to run for Board Member of Laguna’s 1st district, although she has yet to make any formal statement on her future political plans.
Sureballs
Meanwhile, in Biñan City, it's now no secret that Vice Mayor Gel Alonte has been “anointed” by his political family to succeed incumbent Mayor Arman Dimaguila in the 2025 elections.
What remains a mystery to most political observers is what's next both for Mayor Dimaguila and incumbent Representative Len Alonte, who are both in their third and last terms in office.
It's believed their next moves depend on a legislation filed by Representative Alonte last year to split Biñan City into two districts. Latest check by OpinYon Laguna shows that the bill is still pending with the House Committee on Local Government.
In Santa Rosa City, too, it's an accepted fact that Vice Mayor Arnold Arcillas will most likely succeed his sister, incumbent Mayor Arlene Arcillas, who allegedly is planning to run for representative of the city’s lone legislative district.
If true, that will put her at odds with Laguna 1st District Board Member Danzel Fernandez, who is now speculated to attempt to succeed his father at the House of Representatives.
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