Former Vice President Maria Leonor Gerona “Leni” Robredo on Friday confirmed her mayoralty bid for Naga City in the 2025 midterm elections.
In a press conference, Robredo also announced the line-up of her "Team Naga" slate for the city council, and that they would file their candidacies on Saturday (Oct. 5).
“It’s been a tradition here in Naga City that before a team Naga was created, they must undergo a process. For this year, we identified categories for those to be chosen, and the second is even the incumbent must submit themselves during the process,” Robredo said.
She said she earlier invited Naga City residents and members of various sectors and organizations to take part in an extensive consultation process, where they were asked to field nominees and screen aspirants.
Robredo said all aspiring candidates were vetted based on criteria that included integrity, character, experience, and contribution to people's empowerment.
The city councilors line-up included incumbent Councilor Gayle Abonal-Gomez: incumbent Councilor Jess Albeus; outgoing city administrator Elmer Baldemoro; former city health officer Dr. Butch Borja; incumbent councilor Omar Buenafe; outgoing city budget officer Frank Mendoza; incumbent councilor Jose Perez; former councilor Miles Raquid-Arroyo; incumbent councilor Oying Rosales; and lawyer Ariez Macaraig.
Robredo said some of her priority plans and programs are to make Naga a center for good local governance, sustainable urban and inclusive social development, and care for the environment.
“There are many problems now with water, traffic, and electricity; we are going to make sure that even if the area develops, the quality of life will not be sacrificed,” she said in Filipino.
Robredo said she wants the economic progress in the city to be translated into a better life for its people.
Meanwhile, in Albay province, Commission on Elections (Comelec) supervisor, Ma. Aurea Bo-Bunao, said the incumbent governor, Edcel Greco Alexandre Lagman, and former governor, Noel Rosal, filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the gubernatorial post on Thursday.
In an interview, Lagman expressed his commitment to continue serving the people of Albay.
He emphasized his dedication to implementing programs and services for the community, addressing electricity issues, and enhancing the agricultural sector in the province.
He also presented himself as the best choice among the governorship candidates.
Lagman has served as governor for more than two years through succession after governor-elect Rosal was removed from office due to a petition for disqualification against him in 2022.
Meanwhile, before submitting his COC, Rosal and his wife, suspended Legazpi City Mayor Carmen Geraldine Rosal, attended mass at Albay Cathedral.
Hundreds of supporters joined them at the Comelec office in Legazpi City.
In a press conference, Rosal emphasized the need for a dedicated leader to work for the well-being of the people of Albay.
The former governor has a pending motion at the Supreme Court after the Ombudsman ordered his dismissal from service and permanently barred him from holding any public office due to grave misconduct and oppression.
Early this week, Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda also filed his COC for provincial governor through his representative, lawyer Rodolfo Bonafe Jr. (PNA)
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