TACLOBAN CITY—Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla is poised for a likely unopposed reelection as no challengers have emerged for the province’s top executive role. Petilla, along with his running mate Leonardo Javier, filed their certificates of candidacy on Monday under the Nationalist People’s Coalition, marking a potentially smooth continuation of their leadership.
According to Philippines News Agency, the absence of other candidates was confirmed by the records of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office as of the start of the COC filing period on October 1. Petilla noted that the final confirmation of candidates often occurs just before the deadline, stating, “We do not know if I have an opponent until 5 p.m. of Oct. 8. We were told by Comelec that based on their experience, many candidates will file at 4:30 p.m. on the last day.”
Governor Petilla, who previously served as Leyte’s governor from 2004 to 2012 and as the Energy Secretary during the Aquino administration, and his running mate Javier, are both seeking their second terms. They are backed by a coalition supporting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and their candidacy is part of a broader political alliance that includes several incumbent mayors and provincial board candidates across Leyte’s five legislative districts.
During his campaign announcement, Petilla outlined his priorities for his next term, emphasizing the need to enhance the competitiveness of agriculture in the province through technological investments. This focus aims to reduce the costs of agricultural products locally.
The political landscape in Leyte has been long dominated by the Petilla family, with a lineage of political service spanning decades. Governor Petilla’s brother, Leopoldo Dominico, also served as governor from 2013 to 2022, and their mother, Remedios, who was governor from 1998 to 2004, is currently the mayor of Palo.
Leonardo Javier, Petilla’s vice gubernatorial running mate, has also held significant political and business roles, including founding Andok’s, a popular food chain in the Philippines. His family continues to hold political and entrepreneurial influence in the region.
The enduring influence of the Petilla family in Leyte’s politics underscores the ongoing role of political dynasties in the Philippines, reflecting both their sustained public support and the challenges of political diversity in regional governance.