Educator ends dynasty in Catanduanes

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LEGAZPI CITY — The people of Catanduanes have spoken. They have supported the candidacy of an educator in the midterm elections and decided to end the political dynasty that has ruled "The Land of the Howling Winds" for more than two decades.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE The people of Catanduanes showed their might as they chose an educator, Patrick Alain Azanza, to be their next governor, totally ending the more than two-decade reign of Gov. Joseph Cua during the May 12 midterm elections. Photo shows the new governor in casual attire as he personally talked to a resident during his campaign. PHOTO COURTESY OF GOV. PATRICK ALAIN AZANZA

Patrick Alain Azanza, the 56-year-old former president of Catanduanes State University, is the new governor of Catanduanes after he beat Peter Cua, brother of outgoing governor Joseph Cua, in a tightly contested election on May 12, 2025.

The island province of Catanduanes has 200,804 registered voters, wherein 102,312 are males and 98,492 are females, with 248 voting centers.

Azanza garnered 76,169 votes and Cua got 75,807 votes for a margin of 362 votes.

Azanza told The Manila Times that he was compelled to leave his post at Catanduanes State University following the plea of the people to run against the Cuas.

He did not entertain the notion of running for governor right away because, he said, he had no political clout and machinery.

He said he belongs to a family of educators. His parents were both educators at the Catanduanes State University and his wife is also a teacher.

The students, however, enticed him to run for governor and with the strong push from the youth sector and the abaca farmers, he prevailed against a dynasty.

"These students helped my candidacy ... to win the race ... to fight poverty and business monopoly affecting the abacaleros (abaca farmers), fishermen and farmers, wherein the majority of the students (at Catanduanes State University) came from impoverished families," said Azanza, who ran as an independent candidate.

"About 90 to 95 percent of my supporters are anti-dynasty, anti-monopoly and 60 percent of students of Catanduanes State University come from the family of abaca farmers."

"My candidacy was supported by the people; 38 local businessmen vowed to help at least to lend a car, trucks, sound system during the campaign," he said.

"Tricycle operators initiated their campaign; the people provided food for the volunteers and free transportation. It's a bayanihan way of campaigning.

"I don't have a paid campaign staff. All volunteers who spent their own resources to campaign for me. The youth went all out and did their own campaigning through house to house, including senior citizens who believe in the cost of 'padagos na patanos,' meaning, to continue doing what is right."

Azanza thanked the people of Catanduanes for helping him end the Cua dynasty, noting that Gov. Joseph Cua lost to Sinforoso Sarmiento for the mayoral post in Virac, and Chino Cua failed to get a seat in the municipal council.

"As the new governor, I will open our province to the big players like Petron and Shell in Catanduanes to curtail the gasoline monopoly. We also intend to put up a provincial gas station. We will sell the gasoline at a reasonable price," he said.

"The road ahead in Catanduanes will be free from monopoly and dynasty. With the dynasty out, then the road to development in Catanduanes is really in the offing, so there's a beacon of hope."