The political atmosphere in Daraga, Albay, is heating up as the town looks toward the 2025 elections. Three names have emerged as frontrunners for the mayoral seat: Acting Mayor Jungie Jaucian, former Mayor Vic Perete, and Romella Baldo, wife of former Mayor Awin Baldo who is facing accusations of the murder of Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Rodel Batocabe and his police escort. Each of these candidates brings a different set of strengths and challenges, and the dynamics of their campaigns will undoubtedly shape Daraga’s future. But who is most likely to win the mayoralty seat after the May elections?

Jungie Jaucian: The Incumbent Advantage

Acting Mayor Jungie Jaucian enters the 2025 mayoral race as the clear favorite. With his lineage spanning four generations of public service, Jaucian represents both continuity and stability in Daraga politics. His family has established deep ties with the community, with his great-grandfather Gregorio, followed by Vicente, and eventually his father, Gerry Jaucian Sr., all serving in local government. This long-standing history of service has built a loyal vote base for Jungie, which has helped him maintain a solid grip on power.

Jaucian has consistently performed well in electoral races. In 2019, he emerged victorious in a three-cornered vice mayoralty contest, securing 24,594 votes. His subsequent unopposed run in 2022, which saw him gather over 53,000 votes, further underscores the strength of his political support. As the Acting Mayor, Jaucian has the added advantage of incumbency, allowing him to leverage his current position to showcase his leadership skills and ongoing projects for Daraga’s development.

One potential scenario for the upcoming elections involves Jaucian teaming up with either Vic Perete or even Romella Baldo. If Perete were to join forces with Jaucian as a running mate, the pair could combine their support bases and offer a unified message of experienced governance and stability. Such an alliance could be particularly compelling, as it would mitigate the competition between two experienced candidates and focus efforts on defeating Romella Baldo. Or, Jungie and Romella could team up as mayor and vice mayor, respectively, creating a mutually beneficial political relationship.

Vic Perete: The Determined Contender

Vic Perete, a seasoned candidate and former mayor, is another strong contender. Having previously led Daraga, Vic is well-known among constituents for his governance experience. While he lost to Awin Baldo in 2022, he managed to secure a substantial number of votes (34,759), indicating the presence of a loyal voter base that could still rally behind him. For voters seeking a return to stability after the recent political turmoil, Perete represents a viable option.

Vic’s challenge in the 2025 elections will be to differentiate himself from Jungie, who also represents continuity and has the advantage of incumbency. However, a potential vice mayoral alliance with Jungie could benefit both candidates by reducing competition within their shared voter demographic. Such a partnership would present a powerful front, blending the experience and historical contributions of both men, making it more challenging for Romella Baldo to pose a serious threat.

Romella Baldo: A Struggle for Legitimacy

Romella Baldo’s candidacy is directly tied to the legacy of her husband, Awin Baldo, who surrendered amid ongoing legal troubles. This association gives her access to her husband’s established political network, but it also brings considerable challenges. The negative portrayal of Awin Baldo due to the accusations against him casts a shadow over Romella’s campaign, making her a risky choice for many voters.

Romella could potentially appeal to voters through a campaign focused on sympathy and continuity. By positioning herself as someone continuing her husband’s projects, she may secure votes from loyalists who still believe in the Baldo name. She might also try to tap into support from women voters, presenting herself as a fresh alternative in a male-dominated political landscape.

However, Romella’s biggest obstacle is the public perception of Awin Baldo’s legacy. His controversies have been widely covered by the media, which may make Romella a “hot potato” for provincial and congressional candidates. Those looking to align themselves with a stable and uncontroversial figure would likely find it difficult to support Romella, given the risk of associating with the negative image attached to her husband.

For provincial and congressional candidates, aligning with Jungie or even Vic Perete would provide a more favorable narrative to present to voters. Jungie’s reputation for stability and his well-respected family background make him an asset, while Vic’s track record as a former mayor adds credibility to his name. By contrast, aligning with Romella could risk alienating voters from other municipalities, particularly those whose only information source is media outlets that have focused on the accusations against Awin Baldo. Moreover, voters who have benefitted from Ako Bicol’s initiatives, once supported by the slain Congressman Rodel Batocabe, may harbor negative feelings toward the Baldo name, further complicating Romella’s position.

Provincial and Congressional Dynamics: A Balancing Act

In Daraga’s 2025 elections, the outcomes will not only shape the town’s local government but also have a wider impact on provincial and congressional races. Jungie Jaucian’s candidacy, in particular, provides an advantage for candidates running at higher levels of government. His image of stability and his deep-rooted political history could help attract voters looking for reliability and effective governance.

Vic Perete, if positioned as Jaucian’s running mate, could also enhance this advantage by appealing to his loyal voter base and presenting a unified front. Their combined candidacies could make it easier for provincial and congressional candidates to align themselves with the duo, emphasizing experience and continuity without the baggage that Romella Baldo carries.

Conversely, Romella Baldo presents a more challenging case. Her association with Awin Baldo’s controversial past could become a liability for provincial and congressional candidates seeking to maintain or expand their support bases. Aligning with Romella may risk backlash, especially from voters who remember Awin Baldo’s alleged involvement in the assassination of Rodel Batocabe, a tragedy that affected not only Daraga but the broader Albay province. Voters from other municipalities, especially those reliant on news networks and social media, may hold strong negative views towards the Baldo name, making Romella’s potential allies cautious.

Drawing the Electoral Battle Lines

The 2025 election in Daraga is more than just a local race—it’s a reflection of the broader political dynamics within Albay. Jungie Jaucian holds a clear advantage with his incumbency, extensive family legacy, and stable voter support, which makes him a compelling choice for mayor. His potential alliance with Vic Perete could further solidify his position, creating a powerful team that emphasizes stability and experience.

Vic Perete, as a determined contender, still holds appeal among voters yearning for a return to his style of governance. His experience and established voter base make him a credible candidate, but his best path forward might be through an alliance with Jaucian rather than as a direct competitor.

Romella Baldo, while having access to her husband’s network, faces significant challenges. The negative perceptions surrounding Awin Baldo’s controversies make her a potentially risky candidate, not just for herself but also for any provincial and congressional candidates considering aligning with her. Her campaign will need to navigate this complicated landscape by focusing on securing sympathy votes and attempting to distance herself from the controversies of her husband’s past.

Ultimately, the outcome of the 2025 elections will depend on each candidate’s ability to rally their supporters, differentiate their vision, and navigate alliances that could make or break their campaigns. Daraga’s voters are set to choose between stability, experience, and a potentially risky change, and the alliances formed will play a pivotal role in determining which narrative resonates most with the people of Daraga.

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