By Edalyn B. Acta
With the exception of the 1st District congressional race, the coalition of One Capiz nearly swept all posts in the May 2025 midterm elections and signified no significant changes in leadership.
The coalition’s failure to secure a win for Paolo Roxas from Congressman Howard Guintu of Pinuo Party-list was the first time in recent memory that a Roxas name did not win the congressional race.
For the past 100 years, a Roxas won in the district that was first served by his great grandfather, President Manuel Roxas, early in the 1920s.
Aside from the President, the Roxas family who served as congressmen were Paolo’s great grandfather, senator Gerardo “Gerry” Roxas; his uncle, congressman Gerardo “Dinggoy” Roxas Jr.; and his father, former senator and cabinet secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.
The reelection bids of Governor Fredenil “Oto” Castro and Vice Governor James “Mitang” Magbanua were a landslide while majority of their ally won seats in the Capiz Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).
Congresswoman Jane Castro, the governor’s wife, was reelected in the 2nd District without an opponent.
Winners as SP members for 1st District are reelected Board Members Blesilda Perez Almalbis,
Trina Marie Almalbis-Ignacio and Jose Fulgencio “Pepe” Del Rosario. Also elected in the 1st District are Emmanuel Billones Jr. and Cesar Yap Jr.
The winning SP members for 2nd District are reelected Board Members Neriza San Felix, Aldwin Cruz-Am, Gilbert Ardivilla, and Cecilio Fecundo. Their fellow One Capiz ally Ma. Ivy Fundal is also elected.
One Capiz was also victorious in the capital of Roxas City with the reelection of Mayor Ronnie Dadivas (who defeated former mayor and governor Tony Del Rosario) and Vice Mayor Teresa “Inday” Almalbis (who defeated former city councilor Powell Del Rosario).
All winning councilors of Roxas City were also under Once Capiz. Reelected are Federico “Dok Pip” Acepcion, Jaime Altavas, Paul Baticados, Earl Sicad, John Paul Arcenas, Luis Fernando Viterbo, Rey Magallanes, and Herbert Chu. Also elected are former city councilor Midelo Ocampo and Gia Tuazon-Potato.
