WRAP: Eleksyon 2025 winners assume posts
Metro Manila, Philippines - Winners in the midterm elections began their terms at noontime of Monday, June 30.
Local officials on a fresh three-year term presented action plans to their constituents.
Vico and 2028
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto is on his last term. He and his slate, Giting ng Pasig, won by a landslide, pushing a campaign of anti-corruption and good governance.
In his inaugural speech, Sotto told political opponents he would extend a “hand of peace” and “hand of unity” to improve the city, but said those with wrongdoings must be held accountable.
But the highlight of his speech: “2028, hindi ako tatakbo [I will not run in 2028],” arguably quashing hopes from a number of supporters for the young mayor to enter national politics. https://www.newswatchplus.ph/news/2025/6/30/vico-sotto-not-running-in-2028-elections.html
Moreno and garbage woes
Returning Mayor Isko Moreno faced a mounting concern in Manila: solid waste.
In his “public emergency broadcast” on Facebook, Moreno said the two garbage collectors contracted by the previous administration informed him that their services would end on June 30.
Moreno said his government “will not point fingers” and “will act on the matter.”
“In fact, tomorrow (Tuesday), I’m going to be with the city council of Manila and I’m going to ask them to declare [a] state of health emergency,” he announced.
Robredo in local politics
Former Vice President Leni Robredo vowed as Naga City mayor to deliver on an “inclusive, livable, and sustainable” city agenda.
She presented eight action points that cut across the economy, social services, and governance.
Among the highlights was a promise of a budget free of confidential funds for efficient governance. During her vice presidency from 2016 to 2022, Robredo did not have confidential and intelligence funds.
Cebu newcomer
Pam Baricuatro of PDP, the party of former President Rodrigo Duterte, is now governor of Cebu — ending the decades-long influence of the Garcia clan.
Baricuatro received the ceremonial key during the turnover, but former Governor Gwen Garcia was absent.
“This capitol must no longer be a palace of privilege, it must become a home for the people,” Baricuatro said in her inaugural speech.
Garcia, an ally of the Marcos administration, made her farewell speech during the weekend, with some members of the provincial board taking their oath before her.
Baste acting Davao mayor
Davao City Vice Mayor Baste Duterte became acting mayor on Monday, with his father, former president Duterte, currently detained in the Netherlands.
Duterte is facing charges of crimes against humanity for murder before the International Criminal Court (ICC) linked to his bloody drug war.
On Monday, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia said that since the official term begins 12:01 p.m. on June 30, the issue of Davao City’s mayoral post fell under the Department of Interior and Local Government’s jurisdiction.
“Basta po walang kaso sa amin, wala naka-pending, wala kami naging desisyon at na-proklama, kaagad na ang jurisdiction ay malilipat sa DILG,” Garcia told reporters.
[Translation: As long as there is no pending case before the Comelec, the poll body did not come up with a decision, and there was a proclamation, the jurisdiction will be transferred to the DILG.]
Meanwhile, the younger Duterte has this to say to political opponents: “Despite facing the administration’s machinery in the past election, Davao City emerged victorious. Money did not win, principles did.”
“This resounding victory was not only felt in Davao City but also echoed in key areas across Visayas and Luzon,” he said in his speech on June 27.
The Dutertes considered President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as their “common adversary,” especially with the turnout of the ICC case against the Duterte patriarch.
Vice President Sara Duterte and Marcos were running mates in the 2022 polls.
