Only the province of Apayao listed unopposed candidates for the top elective positions while the rest of incumbent congressmen, governors, and vice governors will be challenged by old and new candidates in the May 2022 elections.
Siblings Rep. Elias Bulut Jr. and Gov. Eleanor Begtang are both unopposed, as they seek to swap positions in the coming election. Bulut will run for governor while Begtang will run for the congressional seat.
Apayao Vice Gov. Remy Albano is seeking reelection against Board Member Mailah Ballesteros.
In Abra, eyeing the gubernatorial post are Irinio Eduardo, former Lagayan Mayor Jendricks Luna, Bangued Mayor Dominic Valera, and newcomer Xandro Alexander Cariño.
Incumbent Abra Gov. Maria Jocelyn Bernos will run for vice governor against Tony Ulin and Roger Luna.
Abra Rep. JB Bernos seeks reelection against Derdrei Roce Luna Ifurung and UP-John Palos.
Ifugao Gov. Jerry Dalipog will be challenged by Julio Tindungan and Thomas Tundagui Jr. while Vice Gov. Glenn Prudenciano will be up against former Gov. Pedro Mayam-o.
Ifugao Rep. Solomon Chungalao will be challenged by Gov. Eugene Balitang, Lamut Mayor Mariano Buyagawan, and Nelson Ayoc.
In Kalinga, Gov. Ferdinand Tubban will run against former Vice Gov. James Edduba and Abelardo Hernaez.
It will be the ultimate test for Tubban and Edduba, as the latter filed for an election protest for recount due to the 10-point difference in their vote counts in the 2019 elections poll for the governor post.
The Commission on Elections ordered a recount July this year and the result has yet to be announced.
Kalinga Vice Gov. Dave Odiem is running against former Gov. Jocel Baac while Rep. Allen Jesse Mangaoang will be challenged by Roy Dickpus.
In Mountain Province, incumbent Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr. seeks reelection against perennial candidate Albert Paday-os and Oliver Acapen.
Vice Gov. Francis Tauli will face Bauko Mayor Abraham Akilit and Alexandre Claver.
Rep. Maximo Dalog, Jr. seeks reelection against Jupiter Dominguez. – Ofelia C. Empian
