Commission on Elections. INQUIRER FILES
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — The Yu family is seeking to expand their political territory in the province as more family members are vying for positions in the 2025 elections.
Governor Victor Yu filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for Pagadian City mayor, challenging Mayor Samuel Co who is seeking reelection under the Lakas-CMD. Yu is running under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).
Yu’s wife, Divina Grace, filed her COC for governor.
Meanwhile, his niece Aiko Yu To is running for vice mayor, challenging Vice Mayor Baldomero Fernandez, Co’s father-in-law.
Divina Grace Yu’s niece lawyer Jackielyn Krystyl Bana is seeking the city councilor post, while her son John Raymond Yu is running for Labangan town mayor. Her youngest son Joseph Kim Yu is running for the 1st district congressional seat.
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John Raymond will be challenging former Labangan Mayor Wilson Nandang, while Joseph Kim will challenge last termer Labangan Mayor Eduardo Relacion.
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Yu’s eldest daughter, Victoria, holds the 2nd congressional seat and is seeking reelection. She will face a challenger in former governor and 2nd district Representative Aurora Cerilles, who filed her COC on Friday.
Rep. Divina Yu’s brother Ruel Cabardo also filed his COC for Tambulig town mayor, challenging Mayor Charlotte Dumanjug-Panal.
Cerilles’ daughter-in-law Dumalinao Mayor Junaflor Cerilles, now on her last term, also decided to run for governor in an impending face-off with Divina Yu.
Junaflor’s husband, former Dumalinao mayor and former vice governor Ace William Cerilles will run for Dumalinao mayor, while Junaflor’s sister lawyer Mary Joan Sarmiento is also running for mayor in Lakewood town.
Former Lakewood Mayor Canuto Enerio Jr., Aurora Cerilles’ brother, also vies for a seat in the Provincial Board along with former Provincial Board Member Dr. Mario Cerilles, Aurora’s brother-in-law.
Co, who is seeking reelection in Pagadian City, also has his mother-in-law, City Councilor Priscilla Fernandez, running for reelection, while Eldest son Lance Samuel Co is running for city councilor for the first time.
In Vincenzo Sagun town, Mayor Jeffrey Maata will be challenged by his mother, former mayor Merlinda Maata.
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In Bayog town, Mayor Celso Matias is seeking reelection while his wife is running for vice mayor.