For the 2019 and 2022 elections, it had been Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor’s practice to file his certificate of candidacy together with his complete lineup for the provincial and congressional levels. However, that changed on Tuesday when the filing for the COC for the 2025 polls formally opened.

While the local chief executive and head of the newly-minted Galing at Serbisyo para sa Mindoreño (GSM) party was at the provincial COMELEC office last Tuesday, along with other GSM stalwarts like Vice Governor Ejay Falcon—rumored to be challenging 2nd Rep. Alfonso Umali, Jr.—and Provincial Administrator Dr. Hubbert Dolor, said to be gunning for vice governor, he was only there to show support for the provincial board member bets in the two congressional districts that the GSM party, recently founded by his family, is fielding.

Something felt off.

Then, on Tuesday night, the governor dropped a bombshell by posting a photo of the House of Representatives on his official Facebook page, accompanied by a cryptic caption: “Ang matayog Cong pangarap para sa Oriental Mindoro…”

And then all hell broke loose.

As if on cue, the governor’s feisty brother, ORMECO general manager Humphrey Dolor, added fuel to the fire by posting a photo of his brothers on his own social media account, with a more explicit caption:

“Ang mga mahal Cong kapatid para sa mga 2 Distrito ng lalawigan,” implying a change of plan from the Dolor-Dolor tandem in the provincial Capitol to a more ambitious proposition.

Sources from the GSM inner circle indicated that Bonz would now challenge 1st district Rep. Arnan C. Panaligan in a super fight that promises to be even bigger and more explosive than the Dolor-Leachon confrontation in the 2022 polls. The governor’s brother, who just a few days ago had sacrificed his own congressional aspirations to run for vice governor, would return to his original plan—to unseat Rep. Umali in the 2nd congressional district.

The youthful Vice Governor Ejay Falcon, whose strong showings in surveys make him an early favorite against Umali, was said to be the GSM party’s bet for governor now.

Not the Typical Bonz

The drastic and sudden changes in GSM’s plans puzzled many veteran political watchers, as what transpired was not reflective of the always cool and calculated governor.

“He was angered by the reports that Cong. Arnan and the MBS group were behind the impending candidacy of Joanna Valencia for governor,” a highly-placed source revealed to Mindoro Today.

“The governor felt betrayed that despite his public pronouncement that GSM wouldn’t field a candidate against Cong. Arnan, the goodwill wasn’t reciprocated,” added the same source.

Just last Saturday, September 28, 2024, during the provincial convention of GSM at the Abada College Gymnasium in Pinamalayan, Governor Bonz revealed a supposed gentleman’s agreement with Cong. Panaligan that the two wouldn’t field candidates against each other in the coming polls.

Other sources cited instances when Dolor felt slighted by Panaligan’s indifference despite Dolor’s gracious and respectful gestures.

“Ang tampo ata ni Gov ay hindi pumupunta ng event si Cong. Arnan sa provincial event. Wala daw atang event na nagpunta si Arnan,” chimed another prominent and respected source to this online publication.

Just last January 21, the governor paid the lawmaker a visit at the latter’s district office to personally extend his birthday wishes to the congressman.

“Maligayang kaarawan sa isa sa mga iginagalang at ipinagmamalaking lingkod-bayan ng lalawigan, Congressman Arnan C. Panaligan. Nawa’y biyayaan ka pa ng mahabang buhay at ka(ta)linuhan upang makapaglingkod sa bayan. Muli po, maligayang kaarawan! God bless us.”

Game-Changing Weekend

The lack of a viable challenger against Dolor apparently emboldened the group of former governor and congressman Rodolfo Valencia and his daughter Joanna to explore their options. While originally slated to run for vice governor, sources in Calapan City relayed to this news portal that Joanna is now setting her sights on the Provincial Capitol.

This was drummed up by the family’s friends in the media, who announced that Joanna would join Bonz Dolor and businessman Orven Rabino in a three-way gubernatorial contest.

“Noong Sunday, September 29, lang nabuo yang pagtakbo raw ni Joanna as governor,” confirms a source, refuting the allegation that the latest political development had the blessing of Rep. Panaligan.

It’s a Bluff

But a veteran political figure, who has experience waging province-wide campaigns, believes the GSM stalwarts’ sudden change of game plan is all a bluff.

“Hindi nila gagawin yan. Do you think they’re willing to give up the Capitol and challenge two battle-tested lawmakers in fights they’re not favored to win?”

Observers also maintain that Dolor’s change of heart wasn’t typical of the governor, who, throughout his 30-year political career, has always been calculated and known for holding his cards close to his chest.

When faced with a dilemma, the governor likes to bid his time, dissect problems, and then decide his course of action.

In fact, his penchant for last-minute surprises almost derailed the GSM express and nearly cost him his relationship with his loyal brother, Hubbert. Citing the importance of surveys, the governor took too much time deciding whom to endorse between Falcon and Dr. Dolor as GSM’s official candidate to challenge Rep. Umali in the next polls.

Don’t Look at Us

“The reported Jojo-Jojo pairing that is poised to challenge the Dolor-Dolor tandem has obviously rattled the Dolor camp,” a politician noted. “It’s all a ploy to pressure Arnan to distance himself from the Valencia-Perez duo and publicly declare support for the governor. Why would they do that to Arnan, who doesn’t control the Valencias, especially RGV [former governor and congressman Rodolfo Valencia]?”

Mindoro Today reached out to MBS founder and former representative Doy Leachon to ask if they had any involvement in the latest developments.

“Sa napipintong labanan na Dolor-Dolor vs Jojo (Valencia)-Jojo (Perez) na sisira sa plano nilang sakupin ang Mindoro, nagagalit sila sa kampo namin ni Cong Arnan na akala kami ang nagkasa ng JOJO-JOJO. Wala kami kinalaman dun.”

Mindoro Today also tried to speak with Rep. Panaligan, who was in no mood to fan flames.

He refuted claims that he was behind the purported gubernatorial bid of Joanna. “Madami lang nang iintriga. Do you think I can control the Valencias?”

While the congressman is open to reaching out to the Dolor camp, he said he is prepared to defend his turf.

“I will reach out to them, but yes, prepared tayo sa anumang laban.”

Who’s Got the Upper Hand?

Dolor and Panaligan are two of the most popular public servants today.
Arnan and Bonz are no strangers to each other, having faced off in the 2004 vice-gubernatorial race, where Arnan emerged victorious in a closely contested battle, winning by nearly 25,000 votes.

Both scored impressive wins in their last outing in 2022, with Arnan demolishing Naujan Mayor Mark Marcos to win his first term as congressman, and Bonz outlasting Doy Leachon for the gubernatorial post.

Despite facing different opponents in the last elections, it’s worth noting that Panaligan secured 142,095 votes, or 61.46%, in the first district, while Dolor garnered 130,072 votes, or 53.59% of the total votes cast in the district’s one city and seven towns. This is despite more than 11,000 additional voters casting ballots for the governor’s position than for congressman.