Metro Manila, Philippines – Voters in Antipolo City’s second legislative district will cast their ballots on Saturday, March 14, to choose their next representative in the 20th Congress.
The special elections will be conducted to replace the late Romeo Acop, who died of a heart attack last December.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared March 14 a special non-working day for constituents in the villages of Calawis, Cupang, Dalig, Inarawan, San Jose, San Juan, San Luis, and San Roque.
Acop ran unopposed in last May’s election. This time, six candidates are vying for the position.
Philip ‘Dok Bong’ Acop
Philip Conrad Acop, the son of the late lawmaker, is among the bets running for the House seat.
Acop, a doctor, was nominated by the National Unity Party, the same political party of his father.
On March 2, a resident filed with the Commission on Elections a disqualification complaint against him over alleged vote-buying.
Acop served as Antipolo City councilor from 2013 to 2022.
His proposed legislative agenda largely focuses on health, particularly eyeing to deliver a tertiary hospital for the city. Other platforms include education, agriculture, and livelihood.
Antipolo City councilor LJ Sumulong, from the Nationalist People’s Coalition, backed out from the race after talking with Acop and Antipolo City Mayor Jun Ynares.
Sumulong, a member of the prominent political clan in the city, received the most votes for the second district’s council in the 2025 elections.
Baby Galang Cafirma
Maria Trinidad Galang Cafirma is an entrepreneur who will be entering the world of politics for the first time.
“Oo, bago ako sa politika. Pero hindi bago sa akin ang malasakit,” Cafirma, who is running as an independent, said in a Facebook post.
[Translation: Yes, I’m new in politics, but compassion is not foreign to me.]
She is campaigning on a program of health services, including building a public hospital in the district, and an animal welfare program that aims to put up a stray hospital. Other promises include jobs and livelihood programs and a “clean and open” government.
Dan Infante
Dandin Infante, another independent, is the youngest candidate in the list.
He is 37 with a background in human resources consultancy.
In his Facebook biography, Infante describes himself as: “Makabago. Galit sa korap na pulitiko. Walang kamag-anak sa gobyerno. Mahal ang Antipolo.”
[Translation: Modern. Hates corrupt politicians. Has no relatives in the government. Loves Antipolo.]
If elected, he said he will file or support bills banning political dynasties, supporting wage equity and cost-of-living adjustments to remove the “provincial rate” in Antipolo, reducing VAT to 10 percent, making micro-entrepreneurs tax-free, and providing free mental health services.
Infante is open in disclosing that he volunteered in the “pink campaign” of former Vice President Leni Robredo, and is seen in Facebook sharing posts from lawmakers allied with Robredo.
Red Llaga
Reden Llaga is appearing again in the Antipolo City ballot after failing in the mayoralty elections in May 2025.
LLaga previously ran under Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, a political party formed as a coalition of those supporting the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos in 1978, but is now an independent bet.
With the special elections, Llaga has been associating himself with the Dutertes. He is seen in the campaign trail with a banner featuring himself, Vice President Sara Duterte, and former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Llaga’s platforms encompass various sectors, including an anti-corruption campaign, but he said he dreams of the city’s public hospital and health centers, university, continued pension, and livelihood programs under his leadership.
He said he’s not a traditional politician.
“Lumangoy man si Red Llaga, mamalimos man sa Malacañang, para lang magkaroon ng pagbabago sa lungsod ng Antipolo,” he said in a speech in one of his campaign events.
[Translation: Red Llago will swim and beg at the Malacañang just to have change in Antipolo City.]
Llaga is a businessman, disclosing that he is the CEO & President of Onicare Pharma and Shelterwise Realty Corp.
Atty. Nat Lobigas
Lawyer Nathaniel Lobigas said he will fight for land tenure and housing for the urban poor, extend services for indigenous people, and other sectors in society.
Lobigas said he served as an administrative law judge at the Securities and Exchange Commission from 1997 to 2000, and was a litigation lawyer and special prosecutor at the Bureau of Internal Revenue from 1996 to 1997.
He has had his law office since 2001.
Atty. Paui Tapales
Irvin Paulo Tapales returned to the Antipolo City council in 2025, but now aims for the congressional seat.
If successful, Tapales said he will augment the projects of the city government. He said he will bank on in his experience in local legislation and his law studies to form policies that will benefit Antipolo City.
His platforms include social services, particularly for senior citizens, employment, health, and education.
Tapales had three consecutive terms as councilor from 2013 to 2022. After that run, his wife, Angie, secured a spot in the council.
His sister, Jill, is an incumbent councilor of Antipolo City’s first district.
