SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – The week-long filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the May 2025 elections in Region 1 concluded peacefully, with no significant incidents reported.
The filing period, which ran from October 1 to 8, saw a strong showing of candidates from various political backgrounds, eager to vie for local government positions.
Police Brigadier General Lou Evangelista, the regional director of the Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1), commended the candidates and their supporters for adhering to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) rules and regulations.
He expressed his gratitude for the peaceful and orderly manner in which the filing process unfolded.
“The high level of participation and the respectful demeanor displayed by the candidates during the filing process is a testament to our shared commitment to ensuring a peaceful and fair electoral process,” Evangelista stated.
Throughout the filing period, PRO1 implemented robust security measures, including checkpoint operations in all municipalities, to maintain order and prevent any criminal activities.
“We remain impartial, a political and committed in fostering an inclusive environment,” Evangelista averred.
A total of 2,760 individuals filed their COCs in the Ilocos Region.
Among the notable candidates are:
For District Representatives:
- Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos III and Angelo Marcos Barba (Ilocos Norte 1st and 2nd Districts)
- Ronald Singson and Charlie Savellano (Ilocos Sur 1st District)
- Kristine Singson and Roque Verzosa (Ilocos Sur 2nd District)
- Francisco Paolo Ortega, Geraldine Joy Ortega, and Eduardo Banzon (La Union 1st District)
- Francisco Emmanuel Ortega III, Joel Fontanilla, and Dante Garcia (La Union 2nd District)
- Arthur Celeste (Pangasinan 1st District)
- Leopoldo Bataoil and Marcos Juan Cojuangco (Pangasinan 2nd District)
- Maria Rachel Arenas and Generoso Tulagan (Pangasinan 3rd District)
- Maria Georgina De Venecia and Alipio Vittorio Fernandez (Pangasinan 4th District)
- Ramon Guico Jr. and Franco Del Puero (Pangasinan 5th District)
- Marlyn Agabas and Gilbert Estrella (Pangasinan 6th District)
For Governor:
- Cecilia Araneta Marcos and Arlene Josephine Butay (Ilocos Norte)
- Jeremias Singson (Ilocos Sur)
- Raphaelle Ortega-David, Mario Eduardo Ortega, Emmanuel Fonseca, and Francisco Santiago (La Union)
- Ramon Guico III and Amado Espino III (Pangasinan)
For Vice Governor:
- Matthew Joseph Marcos Manotoc, Jonathan De Lara, and Bob Sacro (Ilocos Norte)
- Ryan Luis Singson (Ilocos Sur)
- Eric Sibuma and Thomas Dumpit Jr. (La Union)
- Mark Ronald Lambino and Noel Nacar (Pangasinan)
The peaceful conclusion of the COC filing period sets the stage for a competitive and orderly election campaign in Region 1.
PRO1 remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all stakeholders throughout the electoral process. (AMB/PIA Region 1)
