TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE — Tacloban City’s 2025 midterm elections concluded on Monday, May 12, with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) proclaiming a full slate of local winners, led by the sweeping victory of the Romualdez political family.

Incumbent Mayor Alfred Romualdez secured reelection by a wide margin with a total of 78,193 votes, earning another term as the city’s chief executive. Raymund Romualdez was also elected as Vice Mayor, besting the position against Makoy Romualdez with 73,038 votes.

At the congressional level, Speaker of the House Ferdinand Martin Romualdez retained his seat as Representative of Leyte’s 1st District, continuing his tenure in national politics.

The newly proclaimed members of the Tacloban City Council are: (1) Edmund Edward Chua (2) Edward Frederick Chua,  (3) Jerry Uy, (4) Marty Romualdez, (5) Eric De Veyra, (6) Dandee Grafil, (7) Chris Esperas, (8) Bryan Granados, (9) Jom Bagulaya, and (10) Edson Malaki.

The official canvassing of votes was completed Monday evening, May 12, 2025, with COMELEC confirming the results shortly thereafter. The proclamation marks the formal conclusion of the city’s electoral process, establishing the composition of the local government for the upcoming term.

Early Voting Hours for Vulnerable Sectors

In a bid to decongest voting centers and provide a more comfortable voting experience, COMELEC implemented its Early Voting Hours program for vulnerable groups. Senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), pregnant women, and their assistors were allowed to cast their votes from 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM, ahead of the general public.

At the V&G Dela Cruz Memorial School and San Roque Elementary School, dozens from these sectors arrived as early as dawn to avoid both the intense heat and the larger crowds expected later in the day. Priority Polling Places were also designated on the ground floors of polling centers to ensure accessibility and safety.

“This is a big help for us,” shared Lola Remedios, a 78-year-old voter in V&G. “I no longer have to worry about climbing stairs or standing in line for too long.”

PDL Voting Inside Tacloban City Jail

As part of its push to uphold inclusive democracy, COMELEC also coordinated special voting for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) inside the Tacloban City Jail. A total of 199 detainees — 183 men and 16 women — were able to cast their votes under the supervision of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

Voting for PDLs was held from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and only those with court-issued orders were eligible to participate.

“Being allowed to vote reminds us that our voices still matter,” said one detainee. J/Supt. Renato Obispo, jail warden, called the initiative a vital step in “humanizing our justice system and reinforcing the right of every citizen to take part in shaping the future.”

Challenges Met with Preparedness

Even as temperatures soared, Taclobanons showed up in droves across various precincts, determined to make their votes count. The city’s registered voters formed long lines that stretched outside school campuses and into nearby streets.

To ensure voter safety, emergency responders, including firefighters, medical rescue teams, and police personnel, were stationed at key areas throughout the city. Several voters were assisted for heat-related conditions such as dehydration, but no major incidents were reported.

Although the election process was largely smooth, a few precincts encountered technical issues with automated counting machines (ACMs), briefly delaying operations. COMELEC technicians were quick to respond, allowing voting to resume with minimal disruption.

With the polls closing at 7:00 PM and the winners proclaimed later that evening, the 2025 midterm elections in Tacloban City concluded with efficiency, order, and a remarkable show of civic participation. The successful conclusion and proclamation of results mark the formal completion of the 2025 midterm electoral process in Tacloban City. With a new set of local leaders officially declared, the city now looks ahead to another term of governance with the newly-elected candidates.