PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — Mayor Lucilo Bayron narrowly secured a fresh mandate in the May 2025 midterm elections, but the results suggest that the once-unshakable grip of his political machinery on the city is beginning to falter.
Bayron edged out incumbent Vice Mayor Nancy Socrates in a closely contested race, winning by a razor-thin margin.
In a major upset, his daughter, Raine Bayron, was defeated in the vice mayoral race by opposition bet Jimbo Maristela.
Maristela won despite the Bayrons’ well-funded campaign and long-standing political dominance in the city.
The results came as a striking contrast to previous elections, where Bayron’s camp — under the banner of his “kuridas” style of governance — often easily swept the polls.
His administration has been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability, with annual Commission on Audit (COA) reports raising red flags over delayed projects, unpaid obligations, and questionable use of public funds.
With the city council now poised to be led by the opposition, political observers expect heightened scrutiny over executive actions and renewed checks and balances.
Reacting to the election outcome, Bayron offered a terse comment on Maristela’s win: “Nasa kanya ’yun… kung haharangin ba niya o hindi,” suggesting that any collaboration with the new vice mayor would be conditional.
While Bayron retains his post, the 2025 elections mark a turning point in Puerto Princesa politics — a reminder that political dominance is not immune to voter fatigue and growing calls for accountability.
