The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Office of the Provincial Election Officer for the Province of Dinagat Islands, led by Acting Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Hazel Ivory R. Laud-Begyan, in cooperation with the Philippine National Police, DIPPO, under the leadership of Provincial Director PCOL Jerome A. Dela Cruz, organized an event called HIMAMAT 2025. The event brought together candidates from various political parties in the province, providing them an opportunity to meet, introduce themselves, and present their platforms to the public as they prepare for the upcoming elections.
The activity began with a unity walk, followed by an Interfaith Prayer Rally and the Lighting of SAFE Candles. Each candidate were given two-minute window to deliver their opening statement and introduce themselves to the crowd.
The candidates present vying for different positions are as follows:
For the House of Representatives:
Atty. Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao
Alan “Uno” B. Ecleo
For Governor:
Nilo P. Demerey, Jr.
Sonny Llamera
For Vice-Governor:
Jade B. Ecleo
Benglen B. Ecleo
District 1 Board Members:
Adlawan, Ali
Bua, Caloy
Bucio-Relator, Jocelyn
Demerey, Nilo Marco
Dialde, Ana Lyn
Ebra, Weng Weng
Luib, Ronald, Sr.
Merano, Zaldy
Vales, Toto
District 2 Board Members:
Acabal, Antonio
Dela Cruz, Ailong
Dela Merced, Elvis
Durano, Pastor Debbie
Ecleo, Jess Paul
Ecleo-Pols, Gwendolyn
Eludo, Sean
Espares, Jaypee
Libor, Rochelyn
Nicolas, Nono
Tiu, Wilfredo
Tugay, Al
To make the Himamat 2025 eventful, the COMELEC-PDI also held a Candidates Forum, where the candidates were required to answer questions from a panel consisting of representatives from the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Dinagat Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DiPCCI), the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs, and the Provincial Women Federation.
The forum focused on provincial concerns and issues, as well as the candidates’ positions. The questions were answered by members of the Bag-ong Dinagat Joint Alliance Team, led by Atty. Arlene Bag-ao, Nilo P. Demerey, Jr., and Jade B. Ecleo. Other teams were unable to participate in the forum due to pending appointments.
The event also included the signing of a covenant and the taking of an oath to the Unity Pledge, affirming their commitment to a peaceful and fair election process.
