BY ROMEL “DIREK” FERRIOL BERNARDO

The political landscape in Oriental Mindoro has dramatically shifted following the 2025 midterm elections, redrawing power lines across the province and ushering in a new bloc of dominant players. Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor’s party Galing at Serbisyo para sa Mindoreño (GSM) faltered at the polls, while Lakas-CMD, led by Rep. Arnan C. Panaligan and Calapan City Mayor-elect Doy Leachon, surged ahead to become the largest political bloc. Meanwhile, 2nd District Congressman Alfonso Umali Jr. of the Liberal Party/Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (LP/PFP) cemented his legacy with an unbroken streak of victories.

GSM Falters

Seven months after Governor Dolor launched GSM with much fanfare, the provincial political party suffered setbacks in the 2025 polls. GSM secured only three mayoral seats (Puerto Galera, Pola, and Bongabong) and four vice-mayoral posts. Despite retaining the governorship unchallenged, Dolor saw the erosion of influence across the board, including the likely loss of majority control in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

The party’s inability to expand its base beyond its strongholds was evident in key losses, including the flipping of Roxas and Bulalacao to the Umali-PFP fold.

LAKAS CMD/MBS Becomes the Biggest Bloc

The alliance between Rep. Arnan Panaligan and Mayor-elect Doy Leachon under the Lakas-CMD and MBS banners has emerged as the province’s most dominant force. With six mayors and seven vice mayors under its umbrella—including Calapan, Naujan, Victoria, Socorro, Gloria, and Baco—the bloc is poised to wrest control of the Provincial Board from GSM.

Lakas CMD’s resurgence is a result of years of steady consolidation by Panaligan, the regional chairman of the party, and now bolstered by Leachon’s return to city hall in the capital.

LP/PFP Makes Gains in the South

In the southern second district, Rep. Alfonso Umali Jr. stood tall as the biggest individual winner of the 2025 midterms. Facing his most formidable challenger yet in Vice-Governor Ejay Falcon, Umali proved that deep grassroots machinery and an estimated P300-million campaign war chest still beat star power.

He now commands five of the seven mayors in the district—including newly flipped Roxas and Bulalacao—and remains the only undefeated political heavyweight in Mangyanland, having won nine straight elections as governor and congressman.

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Biggest Winners of the 2025 Midterms

1. REP. ALFONSO V. UMALI, JR.
   The Undefeated Political Heavyweight
   There should be no debate: the biggest winner of 2025 is none other than Cong. Alfonso Umali. The seasoned lawmaker once again proved his mettle by defeating Ejay Falcon in a high-stakes congressional race. With victories over other political giants in the past—Punzalan, Andaya, Panaligan—and now Falcon, Umali has carved out an unblemished legacy. His grip on the second district is firm, flipping key GSM-held towns like Roxas and Bulalacao.
2. REP. ARNAN C. PANALIGAN
   The Beloved One
   Unopposed and unbothered, the former governor and long-time mayor cruised to a second term in Congress. Dolor, who was poised to challenge him, backed out at the last minute. Panaligan now leads a powerful alliance with six to seven mayors and vice mayors under his wing. With talks of a legislative takeover of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Panaligan is again at the center of Mindoro politics.
3. MAYOR-ELECT DOY LEACHON
   The Comeback Kid
   Leachon’s return to Calapan’s top post wasn’t as easy as the early surveys suggested, but his 55-45 win over incumbent Mayor Malou Morillo marks a successful political reinvention. Once seen as a firebrand, Leachon returned with a more composed and compassionate image, winning back the city and possibly securing a new chapter in provincial leadership realignment.

Elected Mayors by Party Line

Lakas/MBS (6): Calapan (Leachon), Baco (Roldan), Naujan (Teves), Victoria (Inciong), Socorro (Perez), Gloria (Ong)

PFP/LP (6): Pinamalayan (Magsino), Bansud (Morada), Roxas (Dimapilis), Mansalay (Maliwanag), Bulalacao (Cabagay), San Teodoro (Miranda)

GSM (3): Puerto Galera (Ilagan), Pola (Cruz), Bongabong (Malaluan)

Elected Vice Mayors by Party Line

Lakas/MBS (7): Calapan (Ignacio), Puerto Galera (Ilagan), San Teodoro (Py), Victoria (Malabanan), Socorro (Tolentino), Gloria (Condesa), Mansalay (Maliwanag)

GSM/LDP (4): Baco (Castillo), Pola (Panganiban), Bongabong (Barcelona), Roxas (Quiatchon)

LP/PFP (2): Pinamalayan (Baldos), Bulalacao (Acosta)

Independents (2): Naujan (Melgar), Bansud (Mirano)

What’s Next?

With GSM’s base weakened and traditional parties regaining ground, Oriental Mindoro’s political terrain has shifted back into the hands of veteran coalition-builders. The brewing alliance among Umali, Panaligan, and Leachon could realign the province’s legislative priorities and influence national representation.

Yet, with Governor Dolor still holding the province’s highest office, the next year will test whether the GSM founder can recover ground or concede the narrative to an increasingly unified opposition bloc.