In a move that defused escalating political tensions, Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) early this morning at the provincial Commission on Elections (COMELEC) office under his Galing at Serbisyo para sa Mindoreño (GSM) party. The filing, which took place around 8 AM, confirmed that Dolor will seek re-election as governor of Oriental Mindoro for his third and final term, honoring his reported commitment with 1st District Congressman Arnan C. Panaligan.

Accompanied by his wife, Hiyas Dolor, the 2nd nominee of the FPJ party list, the governor made his long-awaited decision, opting to avoid a showdown with Panaligan, whose influence looms large in the province’s political landscape.

Dr. Hubbert Dolor, the eldest brother of Governor Humerlito ‘Bonz’ Dolor and the Provincial Administrator, will be running for vice-governor, marking the continuation of the Dolor-Dolor tandem. This is the first time in the electoral history of Oriental Mindoro that siblings have attempted to run for the province’s two highest posts.

Up to the last minute, Congressman Panaligan remained unfazed and stood his ground, bolstered by the airtight support of seven municipal mayors who are members of his LAKAS CMD party.

The much-anticipated Panaligan-Dolor showdown, which would have undoubtedly produced fireworks and drama as the province’s two biggest political names collided, has now been averted. This decision, while calming tensions, leaves political observers wondering what could have been.

In a significant but expected move, incumbent Vice-Governor Ejay Falcon is now set to challenge long-time 2nd District Congressman Alfonso Umali, Jr., who has maintained an unbroken streak across 24 years and eight consecutive elections. Falcon, with his youth, showbiz fame, and rags-to-riches narrative, offers Umali perhaps his toughest test yet, with many predicting a closely contested race.

Meanwhile, Governor Dolor is expected to face opposition from real estate developer Orven Rabino of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas and Joanna Valencia, daughter of former governor and congressman Rodolfo G. Valencia (RGV) in a three-cornered gubernatorial derby.

While Dolor’s decision to honor his pact with Panaligan has seemingly quieted some of the political noise, the 2025 elections are still shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable and contentious in recent memory.