Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. said he has already chosen his running mate for the 2025 midterm elections.
The incumbent governor made the prouncement in an interview over radio station RMN-Iloilo on Tuesday, Sept. 24.
He, however, refused to disclose the identity of his running mate, saying that it is not yet the right time to reveal.
According to Defensor, who is seeking a third and final term, the running mate he selected is “a partner and supporter of the Marcos administration and the MoRProGRes Iloilo coalition of the provincial administration.”
The governor currently serves as vice president for the Visayas of the ruling Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).
Among the names being floated as Defensor’s possible running mate are those of Congressmen Michael “Mike” Gorriceta, Raul “Boboy” Tupas, and James “Jojo” Ang.
In a previous report by IMT NEWS, Gorriceta of the province’s Second District said that his doors are open to the possibility of a vice gubernatorial bid next year.
For Ang of Uswag Ilonggo Party-list, to be considered as Defensor’s possible running mate is an “honor.”
“Kon ako ang pilion ni [Defensor] nga [running mate], daku ko ina nga problema kay indi basi ako ka pamalibad,” he said in an interview.
In a separate interview, Tupas of the Fifth District expressed his interest to be the running mate of Defensor.
The filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the May 2025 elections is scheduled from October 1 to 8 this year.IMT
