IN some hotly contested positions in the province of Batangas, the results of the just concluded elections simply convey what characterizes the voters’ preferences, notwithstanding the different issues and concerns that lingered around different parties during the campaign period.
After the Provincial Board of Canvassers had tallied the votes transmitted from Batangas’ five cities and 29 municipalities, it can be assumed that Batangas voted preferred fresh and young minds to echo the Batangueno voices in the halls of Congress.
This, after two (2) millennials won by landslide in their respective districts.
Millennials area demographic cohort, generally defined as peoples who born between 1981 and 1996, or those aged 26-41 years old. This generation is often characterized by their tech-savviness, progressiveness, and strong social connections. They are also known for embracing multiple forms of self-expression, among other characteristics.
The 32-year old billionaire Leandro Legarda Leviste, youngest son of incumbent senator Loren Legarda won the congressional seat for the First District against his lone opponent, incumbent Congressman Eric Buhain of Nacionalista Party.
The young Leviste garnered 268,764 votes or 74.58% of the total votes registered in the district over Buhain’s 91,588 votes or 25.42%.
Another millennial who won a congressional seat is Ryan Christian Recto, son of Finance secretary Ralph G. Recto and actress and politician Vilma Santos-Recto.
The 29-year old Ryan Christian garnered 92,823 votes or 45.94% of the total votes recorded in the Lipa City Lone District.
Placing second in a 4-cornered fight is Bernadette P. Sabili, who git 72,976; lawyer Mar Panganiban, 20,872; and businessman and civic leader Rodel Lacorte with 15,398 votes.| – BNN
Leandro Legarda Leviste has won a historic landslide as Batangas 1st District Representative in the 2025 elections. Leviste was accompanied by his mother, Senator Loren Legarda, at his official proclamation as Congressman-elect this morning, May 13, at the Batangas Provincial Capitol.
Leviste secured 268,764 votes, or 75% of the total, defeating incumbent Congressman Eric Buhain, who received 91,588 votes. This marks the highest percentage won against any sitting member of Congress nationwide this election cycle and the most votes ever recorded in any congressional race in the history of Batangas.
Leviste’s win marks the first-ever electoral defeat of Eric Buhain, the husband of former Congresswoman Eileen Ermita-Buhain, whose family has held the position of Batangas 1st District Representative for 30 years. It is the first time since 1972 that the district has elected a representative outside the Ermita or Apacible families. Leviste defeated Buhain in all 8 municipalities and cities of the 1st District, which is comprised of Balayan, Calaca, Calatagan, Lemery, Lian, Nasugbu, Taal, and Tuy.
Campaigning on the message “Paunlarin Natin Ang Unang Distrito”, Leviste called for greater support from the national government for the development of Western Batangas. Leviste’s landslide victory is seen as a clear mandate for his platform to focus on education, infrastructure, and job creation, with a goal of turning the 1st District into the most developed and prosperous district of Batangas.
At a press conference after his proclamation, Leviste said, “I would like to thank everyone who encouraged me to run and supported our campaign. We will now work on our programs for education and infrastructure development, and hope this election gives people more hope for the future in the 1st District.”
Leviste, 32 years old, is the country’s youngest billionaire entrepreneur. Leviste decided to focus on public service in 2024 after selling Meralco a controlling stake in his company, Solar Philippines New Energy Corporation, for P34 billion.|
BATANGAS Capitol – AS the Provincial Board of Canvassers proclaimed the winning candidates for all the positions in the province of Batangas, Board Member-elect Emilio Berebrabe Jr. [Doc Jun] emerges as the incoming Senior Board Member of Batangas.
Based on the data gathered from the Provincial Certificate of Canvass, Doc Jun gathered the highest number of votes both in proportion to the number of registered voters in his district at 75.63%, and in proportion to the number of voters who actually voted for the position at 63.86%.
Based on the Certificates of Votes obtained by BNN, Doc Jun garnered a total of 145,778 votes from Batangas City’s 228,263 registered voters. He got a total of 49.23% of the votes of the 192,750 voters who actually voted on May 12 Mid-Term Elections.
Coming second is reelectionist Board Member Aries Emmanuel ‘Bibong Mendoza of Lipa City who got 66.67% of the votes in proportion to the registered number of voters in Lipa City Lone District.
Here is the complete ranking of the winning board members in the just concluded election: Berberrabe, Mendoza, Junjun Gozos, Hamilton Blanco, Alfredo Corona, Reina Abu-Reyes, Marcus Mendoza, Santos, Jently Rivera, Melvin Vidal, Rodolfo Balba and Armie Bausas.
Doc Jun has served as Vice Mayor of Batangas for three consecutive terms.
The ranking of the elected board members is very crucial to the succession of public officials when vacancies occur in the office of the Governor and Vice Governor. When the office of the provincial governor is vacated, the vice governor succeeds leaving the position of the vice governor. When such vacancy occurs at the office of the vice governor, the Senior Board Member is the rightful official to succeed and fill-up the position.
Section 44 (par. 2) of the Local Governor Code provides that “for purposes of succession… ranking in the sanggunian shall be determined on the basis of the proportion of votes obtained by each winning candidate to the total number of registered voters in each district in the immediately preceding local election.
Meanwhile, in the case of Pascual v. Pascual-Bautista, 207 SCRA 561 [1992], the Supreme Court clarified that “the law is clear that the ranking in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan shall be determined on the basis of the proportion of the votes obtained by each winning candidate on (sic) the total number of registered voters who actually voted.
Batangas City made it again!
Berberabe would be 2nd official in a row from Batangas City Lone District to have been elected as the Senior Board Member.
In 2022 elections, the outgoing Board Member Ma. Claudette Ambida-Alday emerged as the Senior Board Member. In this election, Ambida emerged as the number 1 councilor-elect of Batangas City.| – Joenald Medina Rayos
PROKLAMASYON na lang ang kulang para maging opisyal ang muling pagkapanalo ang anim (6) na mayor, apat (4) na vice mayor at dalawang (2) bokal sa Lalawigan ng Batangas.
Ang 12 nabanggit na kumandidato ay pawang mga walang nakalaban sa kani-kanilang posisyon.
Kabilang sa kanila sina reelectionist Mayor Eric Africa (Nacionalista Party) ng Lungsod ng Lipa; ang magkatandem na mayoralty candidate Jo-Ann Ponggos at katandem nyang si Mawee Abrigo, kapwa Nationalist People’s Coalition ng bayan ng Alitagtag; reelectionist Noel Luistro (PFP) ng Mabini; ang mother-and-son tandem ng Padre Garcia, kapwa re-electionist Mayor Celsa and Vice Mayor Micko Rivera (Liberal Party); magkatandem nina Mayor Beebong Salud (NP) ng San Juan at Vice Mayor Anthony Marasigan; at ang father-and-daughter tandem ng Tingloy, reelectionists Mayor Larry Alvarez at Vice Mayor Dra Mikee Alvarez, kapwa independent.
Sa ilalim ng batas, hindi kinakailangang makakuha ng botong katumbas ng mayoriya ng rehistradong botante ang mga tumakbong walang kalaban. Salip, basta may makuhang boto ang mga ito na katunayang sa kanilang pagtakbong muli ay may mandato silang matanggap mula sa kanilang constituents.| – BNN
LIPA City — WALA ng kasing pait para sa isang ina na sa pagdiriwang ng Mothers Day ay maghatid siya sa huling hantungan ng pinakamamahal na bunsong anak.
Nitong Linggo ng hapon, kasama ang mga nakidalamhati mula sa iba’t ibang sektor, hinatid na nina Cynthia at Danmark ang kanilang bunsong anak na si Malia Kates Yuchen S. Masongsong sa kaniyang huling hantungan sa Eternal Gardens Memorial Park sa Lipa City.
Si Malia ang batang biktima ng malagim na trahedya sa NAIA Terminal I na kumitil ng dalawang buhay at nakasugat ng ilan pang indibidwal.
Mula ng maganap ang nasabing trahedya, hindi na nakita pa ni Cynthia ang anak matapos na siya’y isugod sa St. Lukes Medical Center sanhi ng tinamong mga sugat, hanggang sa makauwi siya bago inilibing ang bata.
Isa pang lalaki na patungo sana sa Dubai, United Arab Emirates ang sinawimpalad na mabangga at madaganan ng isang Sports Utility Vehicle (SUP); samantalang nasugatan din sa insidente ang ina ni Danmark at isang pamangkin.
Nagulat umano ang driver ng SUV nang may dumaang kotse sa kaniyang unahan, kung kaya’t sa halip na break ang matapakan ay silinyador ang natapakan nito, dahilan upang humarurot ang SUV at bumangga sa bollards at sa bahaging kinaroroonan ng mga biktima.
Nasa paliparan noon ang mag-ina ni Cynthia upang ihatid si Danmark na isang overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) sa Czech Republic.
Samantala, personal ding nakipaglibing at nakidalamhati sina Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac ng Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) at Administrator Arnel Ignacio ng Overseas Welfare Administration (OWWA). Nauna rito ay nakipag-unayan na umano ang DMW at OWWA sa employer ni Danmark, sa pamamagitan ng Philippine Embassy sa Prague at Philippine’s labor attaché isa Czech Republic. Iginagulat umano ng naturang employer ang malagim trahenda sinapit ng pamilya ni Danmark at nagpaabot na ng pakikiramay dito.| Joenald Medina Rayos at Ghadz Rodelas
BAUAN, Batangas — ISANG araw bago ang pagtatapos ng kampanya, bumisita si Senadora Imee Marcos sa mga bayan ng Bauan at San Pascual, Batangas nitong Biyernes, Mayo 9, upang makiisa sa mga residente at magbigay ng mensahe ng suporta.
Sa kanyang talumpati, muling iginiit ng senadora ang kanyang panata sa patuloy na pagtulong sa lahat ng sektor, lalo na sa mga magsasaka, na aniya’y patuloy niyang ipinaglalaban ang kapakanan.
Kasabay nito, binigyang-diin din ni Senadora Imee ang ilan sa mga pangunahing panukalang batas na kaniyang isusulong sakaling muling mahalal sa Senado—kabilang na rito ang pagtatatag ng mga regional specialty hospitals, pagpapatupad ng pantay na minimum wage sa buong bansa, pagbibigay ng trabaho at hindi lamang ayuda, at pinalawak na suporta para sa mga Persons with Disabilities (PWD), bukod sa iba pa.
Sa pagtatapos ng kampanya, bitbit ng senadora ang mga kwento at hinaing ng bawat mamamayang kaniyang nakausap sa kaniyang patuloy na paglibot sa buong bansa.|
THIS Mother’s Day, let’s honor the incredible women who shape our lives! Join SM City Batangas, SM City Lipa, SM Center Lemery and SM City Sto. Tomas for a heartwarming celebration dedicated to all mothers.
Mom’s Gifts and Celebrations: Treat your mom to her favorite stores with exclusive discounts just for her and indulge in a delightful meal as a sweet surprise after.
Mom’s Insta-Spot: Capture that moment with her at the Mother’s Day instagrammable spot and create lasting memories together.
Mom’s Serenade: Enjoy uplifting performances that pay tribute to mothers everywhere—an experience you won’t want to miss!
Whether you’re shopping, enjoying a meal, or simply spending quality time, SM Malls in Batangas is the perfect place to show your appreciation for the amazing woman in your life.
Let’s make this Mother’s Day one to remember! Celebrate love, laughter, and the special bond you share with your mom.|
MANILA – As political candidates bombard the public with sweet and sweeping promises of progress ahead of the 2025 midterm elections, a different kind of campaign is gaining ground, appealing to senatorial aspirants to also fight for the protection of the country’s seas, and the fisherfolk’s rights and future.
On Thursday, 29 fisherfolk organizations from five provinces surrounding the Verde Island Passage (VIP) – Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, and Romblon – urged candidates to put environmental protection and fisherfolk rights at the top of their platforms.
The groups sent their fisherfolk agenda calling for urgent measures to protect the VIP, a global marine biodiversity hotspot threatened by pollution, commercial fishing, and climate change.
“Ang panawagan namin sa mga nakaupo sa pwesto at tumatakbong kandidato na bigyan sana ng pansin kaming mga maliliit na mangingisda. Itong agenda na aming inihahain ay para itaguyod ang karapatan ng mga mangingisda sa bansa, dahil unti-unti na kaming nawawalan ng karapatan, lalo at nangangamba kami ngayon na maagawan ng mga komersyal na barko sa municipal waters (Our call to those in power and those running for office is to give attention to the plight of small-scale fisherfolk. The agenda we are presenting aims to uphold the rights of fisherfolk across the country, as we are losing our rights to the seas, especially now that we fear the encroachment of commercial vessels on municipal waters),” Rodrigo De Jesus, president of the Bukluran ng Mangingisda sa Batangas, said in a letter sent to senatorial candidates, as well as to congressional and local government candidates.
“Simple lang ang hiling namin, ibigay sa amin ang dapat na sa amin (Our plea is simple, give us what is rightfully ours),” he added.
Exclusive rights
At the core of the agenda is the demand to enforce the exclusive rights of small-scale fishers within municipal waters, following a controversial Supreme Court ruling that allowed commercial fishing in zones previously reserved for small fishers.
The groups are also calling for the legal protection of the VIP through its inclusion in the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System and its declaration as a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site.
For the communities surrounding the VIP, environmental protection is not a buzzword, but a lifeline.
“Kawawa kaming mga mangingisda kung patuloy ang pagsira sa karagatan (We fisherfolk will suffer if the destruction of the ocean continues),” De Jesus said.
“Ang pangangalaga sa karagatan ay pangangalaga rin sa kabuhayan naming mga mangingisda (Protecting the ocean also means protecting our livelihood).”
In preparing the agenda, a dialogue was held in April, spearheaded by Protect VIP Network, the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development, Caritas Philippines, and De La Salle Lipa.
The groups said the agenda reflects a growing demand among vulnerable communities for meaningful participation in environmental governance.
“We challenge aspiring leaders to show genuine commitment to protecting both our environment and vulnerable communities. Beyond electoral campaigns, we urge them to adopt this fisherfolk agenda as the foundation for their long-term advocacies,” said Fr. Edwin Gariguez, lead convenor of Protect VIP.
People’s protection
He noted that protecting the ocean is not separate from protecting the people, and that candidates must embrace this significant agenda.
On Wednesday, administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas candidates Vicente Sotto III and Abby Binay have issued calls for stronger climate resilience policies and infrastructure safeguards, citing dam-related failures and substandard public works that reflect deeper issues in the national budget process.
Sotto also cited PHP160 billion worth of congressional realignments recently vetoed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Campaign waste
Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has also reminded political parties to manage campaign waste, urging supporters to dispose of posters and flyers properly, which echoes the larger call to environmental responsibility.
With the nearing elections, fisherfolk hope that beyond political promises, genuine action will be taken.
Their message is clear: safeguarding the environment is not just a campaign talking point, but more importantly, a matter of survival. (PNA)
(DEVELOPING STORY:) THE whole Christendom rejoices Thursday afternoon, May 8, as white smoke ascends from the roof of the Sistine Chapel, that signals the election of a new Pope.
Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost, 69 years old of North America was elected the 267th Pope and chose the name Pope Leo XIV.
Born in Chicago, Prevost spent the early part of his career there working for the Augustinians. He served in Peru from 1985 to 1986 and from 1988 to 1998 as a parish pastor, diocesan official, seminary teacher and administrator. He was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost sits across from Pope Francis at a desk in the Vatican when the late Pope informed the American-born Augustinian friar of naming him a cardinal.| VATICAN MEDIA
In 2023, Pope Francis appointed Prevost as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a prominent role that elevated his profile as a potential papal candidate. Since POpe Francis’ death, the then Cardinal Prevost had been called papabile, a leading candidate for election as pope during the 2025 papal conclave.Prior to this, the world awaits the appearance of the Cardinal electors on the Loggia of St Peter’s Basilica, and the announcement of the 267th Pope.
Cardinal Robert Prevost with Pope Francis in 2013. Credit: Vatican Media.
The election of the new pope happened on the third ballot, on the second day of the Conclave, at the feast of St. Michael the Archangel.
Hundreds of thousands faithful started to flock the St. Peter’s Square as the white smoke emits from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and are now waiting for the new pope to emerge at the balcony of the St. Peter’s Basilica.
Also, the Vatican Band and the Swiss Guards have already positioned at the patio of St. peter’s Basilica to welcome the new pope.
Whoever he is, the new Pope, the Bishop of Rome, the Supreme Pontiff, the Vica rof Christ will lead the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. |
President of LIMA Land Inc. and Head of Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates Rafael Fernandez De Mesa (left) is presented with the 5-Star BERDE
Certification by Philippine Green Building Council Chairman Raymond Rufino (right)
Batangas, Philippines — LIMA Tower One, the first premium office building in Batangas, has been awarded the prestigious 5-Star BERDE Certification by the Philippine Green Building Council (PHILGBC) — marking a major milestone for sustainable, high-performance developments in the province.
The recognition was celebrated at a ceremony attended by leaders from the PHILGBC, Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates, and key stakeholders. In his remarks, Rafael Fernandez de Mesa, President of LIMA Land and Head of Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates, emphasized how the milestone reflects LIMA Estate’s role in shaping a greener, more inclusive future for Batangas and for the country.
“Today’s 5-Star BERDE Certification is more than an accolade. It affirms our deep and ongoing commitment to responsible development—where economic progress, environmental stewardship, and community upliftment move forward hand in hand,” Fernandez de Mesa shared.
LIMA Tower One anchors the expanding Biz Hub at LIMA Estate, a 70-hectare business district in Lipa and
Malvar that seamlessly integrates office, retail, residential, hospitality, and institutional components with industrial activity. This thriving environment is redefining what industrial estates can be—creating vibrant, people-centric communities beyond Metro Manila.
Biz Hub at LIMA Estate is Batangas’ first master-planned business district, fostering a vibrant community where business and lifestyle seamlessly converge. Spanning 30 hectares and recently expanded by an additional 40 hectares, it offers comprehensive infrastructure support alongside a diverse array of lifestyle amenities for both businesses and residents.
A centerpiece of the Biz Hub, LIMA Tower One addresses the growing demand for high-quality workspaces in provincial locations, driven by a shifting workforce seeking better quality of life closer to home. The development has already attracted major tenants, with Conduent, one of the country’s top IT-BPM companies, choosing LIMA Tower One for its first provincial office. Occupying three floors, Conduent’s operations are poised to create hundreds of high-value jobs for Batangueños.
During the ceremony, Fernandez de Mesa underscored the unique relevance of the BERDE rating system, which addresses the Philippines’ environmental, economic, and social needs. He also recognized the Philippine Green Building Council for their leadership in advancing sustainability in the built environment. “We chose to pursue BERDE Certification not just because of its technical credibility, but because it was designed by Filipinos, for Filipinos—rooted in the realities and aspirations of our communities,” he said.
With nearly 2,000 hectares of industrial land under management and home to more than 250 global and local companies, Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates supports over 100,000 direct jobs across its developments. It is currently the only industrial estate developer in the Philippines to have all its operating estates BERDE-certified, reinforcing its leadership in building smart, sustainable, and future-ready communities.
LIMA Tower One, Batangas’ premier office development is purpose-built for the IT-BPM industry and knowledge-based industries, the 11-storey tower features flexible, high-performance spaces designed to global standards.
Philippine Green Building Council Chairman Raymond Rufino, celebrated the continuous efforts of Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates for continued collaboration and purpose-driven growth. “I have always encouraged fellow developers to embrace green building practices. The developments within Aboitiz InfraCapital’s Economic Estates exemplify how we can raise the bar—meeting global standards and demonstrating that the Philippines can lead in building green, future-ready communities.” said Rufino.
The 5-Star BERDE Certification of LIMA Tower One marks a significant step forward in Batangas’ transformation into a thriving business hub — strengthening the province’s position at the forefront of sustainable and inclusive growth in the Philippines.|
