New faces challenge reelection bids of incumbent Bukidnon officials in 2025

BUKIDNON, Philippines – The province may not be known as a traditional poll battleground, but in recent years it has seen a shift in its election matchups.

Local races, especially at the provincial level, have now become more competitive as new faces challenge several incumbent officials.

Poverty alleviation, sustainable development, as well as the welfare of farmers and indigenous peoples (IPs) remain some key issues in the province. Despite being home to multinational giants such as the Del Monte Pineapple Plantation, wealth remains concentrated among a few families. In 2023, Philippine Statistics Authority data showed around 28% of families in the province live in poverty.

Bukidnon is also home to a huge lumad population, among them seven tribes: Bukidnon, Higaonon, Manobo, Matigsalug, Talaandig, Tigwahanon, and Umayamnon. With a lumad population of around 500,000, stronger social protections, sustainable development, and good governance are also in the ballot for the country’s 16th most vote-rich province.

Rappler lists down some of the most competitive races in the province during the 2025 elections:

A 5-way race for the capitol

In 2022, then-representative Rogelio “Oneil” Roque of the 4th District did the unexpected: defeat a Zubiri.

Roque won the gubernatorial seat of Bukidnon with over 370,000 votes, defeating Senator Migz Zubiri’s brother Manuel Antonio. However, he claimed this victory by a narrow margin of just around 5,000 votes.

As Roque seeks a second term, a fellow Valenciano is seeking to take his place: Valencia City Mayor Azucena “Sunny” Huervas. Aspiring to be Bukidnon’s first woman governor, Huervas is running on platforms centered around good governance, social protection, heritage development, among others.

Another challenger to Roque’s reelection bid is Arbie “Bagani” Llesis, a people’s lawyer who was appointed the IPs’ Mandatory representative in the Provincial Board. Llesis — who decided to run against Roque who vetoed an IP Code that aims to safeguard the welfare of Bukidnon’s lumad population — hopes to elevate the welfare of IPs, farmers and the youth if he is elected governor.

Pangantucan town mayor Miguel Silva Jr. is also looking to dethrone Roque, despite facing statutory rape charges. The Regional Trial Court in Malaybalay, Bukidnon denied him bail in February.

The fifth gubernatorial aspirant is Workers’ and Peasants’ Party bet Bong Eligan, who is running for governor for the third time.

Vice gubernatorial race

After falling short in the race for the 4th District’s Provincial Board seats in 2022, former Valencia City councilor Rhea Agripo set her sights on Bukidnon’s second-highest post. She is running under the One Bukidnon coalition with her fellow Valenciano Roque.

Agripo hopes to unseat incumbent Vice Governor Clive Quiño from Manolo Fortich town. The challenger was Manuel Zubiri’s running mate in the 2022 polls.

Enter Migz Zubiri’s wife

Since Bukidnon’s 3rd District’s creation in 1987, its congressional seat has never left the Zubiri family. Its incumbent congressman, ex-governor Jose Maria “Joe” Zubiri, was also its first representative in the lower chamber. Over the years, the Zubiri patriarch also passed on the torch to his three sons: Migz, Joey and Manuel.

With Joe turning 85 in August, his daughter-in-law, Migz’s wife Audrey Tan Zubiri, hopes to make her political debut as the district’s first woman representative. Despite being a newbie to politics, Audrey has been active in the philanthropic scene, championing women’s empowerment and education advocacies.

Audrey’s congressional bid is challenged by Quezon, Bukidnon Councilor Jay Areja and Jomer Valledor.

A neophyte vs 2 brothers-in-law

Despite losing to incumbent Representative Jose Manuel “Joeman” Alba in 2022, former presidential adviser for environmental protection Nereus “Neric” Acosta seeks a lower chamber comeback once again. The two political rivals are brothers-in-law.

The former presidential adviser headed the Laguna Lake Development Authority from 2011 to 2016. From 1998 to 2007, Acosta also served as the district representative for the area covering the northern and western towns of Manolo Fortich, Malitbog, Talakag, Baungon, Libona, and Sumilao.

Joining the district’s congressional race is Earl Navarro, a civil engineer and businessman who is running on platforms of quality education, as well as the implementation of infrastructure projects and building adequate water systems. – Rappler.com