Interesting congressional, mayoral tussles seen in Cavite

BATTLES in some areas in Cavite, especially in the first and third congressional districts, are expected to be intense in the May 12, 2025 local elections.

Based on initial statements by some political observers in Cavite, an interesting match-up is well in the offing in the First Congressional District between incumbent Rep. Jolo Revilla of Lakas CMD and challenger Dr. Paul Abaya of Liberal Party, as well as in the 3rd District (Imus City) where Rep. Adrian Jay Advincula (NUP) is seeking a second consecutive term and is being challenged by former three-termer mayor Emmanuel Maliksi of Aksyon Demokratiko.

Just as interesting is the face-off between incumbent 5th District Rep. Roy Loyola of NUP and an independent candidate in Julie Tolentino. Rep. Aniela Tolentino is seeking a second term for the 8th District but will have to deal with General Emilio Aguinaldo town 8th District Board Member Irene Bencito.

Observers are also seeing an exciting mayoral contest in Bailen (or General Emilio Aguinaldo town) between Mayor Dennis Glean who is running for a second term and former mayor Danny Bencito who is seeking a second term.

A three-tiered contest is seen in the mayoral race in Bayan ng Indang which will have a new leadership in July 2025. The race for the seat that will be vacated by three-termer Mayor Perfecto Fidel involves new candidates in Vergel Fidel of the NUP, Sammy Rodil (Independent) and Resty Vejerano of the WPP.

In Kawit, former Cavite 1st District representative Boy Blue Abaya is up against Councilor Amie Aguinaldo in the mayoral race, while Amie Aguinaldo's son, incumbent Mayor Angelo Aguinaldo, is running for vice mayor against businessman Gerry Ramos.

In Magallanes, Janessa Maligaya of the NPC and Ernesto Dastas of the NUP will dispute the mayoral post that will be vacated by incumbent Mayor Jasmin Maligaya-Bautista, who is running for board member in the 8th District of the province.

Maragondon Mayor Lawrence Arca is seeking a term extension against former mayor Rey Rillo who wants to serve in the town again. Also on focus is the mayoral tussle in Naic between Vice Mayor Junio Dualan (NPC) and topnotch councilor Rommel Magbitang of the Union of Nationalist Democratic Filipino Organization.

It will be a four-cornered fight for mayor in Bayan ng Silang, where incumbent Mayor Edward Carranza, former mayor Kevin Anarna, former mayor Omil Poblete and Mariano Ambulo Jr. have been engaged in word war and mudslinging since the start of the election season.

Former allies, incumbent Vice Mayor Simon "SM" Matro and councilor Icel Del Rosario will clash for mayoralty of Tanza that will be vacated by Mayor Yuri Pacumio whose term ends on June 30, 2025.

Incumbent Vice Mayor Salvador Gubio Jr and former mayor Herminio Lindo are challenging the leadership of Mayor Lambert Bambao who wants another term.