Election 2025
Tension rising in Aklan’s second district as May 12 election nears
KALIBO, Aklan—Tensions are rising in the second district of Aklan, a few days before the much-anticipated synchronized national and local elections.
Police Captain Aubrey Ayon, in a press briefing Tuesday morning, said that they are aware of the political tensions now happening in the second district because of the myriad of politically related incidents occurring in Aklan’s second district.
The western town of Aklan includes Numancia, Lezo, Malinao, Makato, Tangalan, Ibajay, Nabas, Malay, and Buruanga.
On April 29, 2025, veteran journalist and former Kalibo mayor Juan Dayang was killed by an unidentified gunman while watching television at his home in Kalibo, Aklan.
Ayon said that while they have a lead to the identity of the perpetrators, the motives could not be established at this time. Among the motives undertaken were personal grudge, media-related work, or politically related.
Dayang, a former member of Boracay Foundation Incorporated (BFI) has properties in Boracay. He is also vocal against the plan to put up a bridge in Malay, Aklan. Dayang, while he was still alive, was the one who sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the still unsolved Slovikian tourist murder in Boracay.
Also, days before the Dayang killing, now political rival incumbent Congressman Teodorico Haresco Jr traded a legal election-related suit against his opponent, former Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores. Haresco and Miraflores are first cousins, and for several years before the May 2025 elections, they both considered themselves soulmates.
Also, days before the May 12 election, known Miraflores supporters Hery Oild and Shirly Lagradante filed a disqualification case at the COMELEC against Haresco for allegedly documenting vote buying. The documentation of the complainants was seen as a retaliation of the Miraflores camp against Haresco.
Last month, Genesis Gardula, the clerk of the court of the COMELEC’s first division, summoned Miraflores and their entire slate to the second district for allegedly using the resources of the provincial government on their caravan held during the start of the campaign sortie.
Documents obtained by the Rappler show, aside from Miraflores, others who were summoned include his son, Aklan incumbent Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores, Vice Governor aspirant Dexter Calizo, provincial board candidates Bayani Cordova, Romeo Dalisay, Jupiter Aelred Gallenero, Ricardo Ibarreta Jr., and Plaridel Solidum.
Aklan’s first district congressional aspirant Jess Marquez was also included in the disqualification case.
The petitions were filed by Francilito Castro of Buruanga and Neil Fernandez of Batan. Haresco, when asked if he has a personal involvement in the said historic class suit (considered first in the Philippine election) he said ‘no comment.’
Both Castro and Fernandez claimed that the camp of Miraflores had inadvertently used provincial resources for the motorcade caravan.
Atty. Selwyn Ibaretta, the provincial administrator of Governor Miraflores suffered the brunt of this disqualification case. In a copy of their verified answer to the COMELEC, Ibaretta, in his private capacity as a lawyer, claimed he was approached by his long-time client, Rayland Rogan to donate vouchers for motorcycle riders joining the caravan rally of Miraflores camp.
But Ibaretta said he mistakenly used the letterhead of the Aklan provincial government in requesting gas vouchers, which were distributed to the riders who joined the motorcade.
Governor Miraflores said he suspended Ibaretta for ten days because of such negligence/
Based on the records of COMELEC. Aklan has 414, 890 registered voters. Of this number, 205,358 voters are from the second district of Aklan.
