SEVEN candidates from Cebu Province are considered clear winners in the May 2022 elections.
This after either their bids were left unchallenged or their opponents withdrew just before the Nov. 15, 2021 deadline for the withdrawal and substitution of aspiring poll candidates.
Rhea Gullas, who initially ran for mayor of Talisay City, is now one vote away from victory after she replaced her husband, incumbent Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr., as congressional candidate of Cebu’s First District.
Gullas’ husband was already unopposed when he filed his certificate of candidacy for congressman back in October.
Instead, Gullas’ husband will seek reelection as city mayor.
Cebu’s First District is composed of the cities of Talisay, Naga, Carcar and the municipalities of Minglanilla, San Fernando and Sibonga.
During the 2019 midterm elections, around 344,832 individuals living in Cebu’s First District voted, making it the top congressional district with the most numbers of actual voters.
In Mandaue City, Sixth District Rep. Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon will make history as the first House Representative of the lone District of Mandaue City after her candidacy was left unchallenged.
Re-electionist Cebu Rep. Peter John Calderon is also uncontested in Cebu’s Seventh District, which is composed of the towns of Alcantara, Alegria, Badian, Dumanjug, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Moalboal and Ronda.
Reelectionist Provincial Board member Jerome Christian Librando and former Dumanjug mayor Cesar Baricuatro are running unopposed as both of them will share the twin PB seats under Cebu’s Seventh District.
Baricuatro will be replacing his son, outgoing PB member Christopher “Dong” Baricuatro.
House Deputy Speaker and Cebu Third District Rep. Pablo John “PJ” Garcia was also able to breathe a sigh of relief after his only opponent, Anthony Enryl Pono, withdrew his candidacy.