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Governor Presbitero Velasco and his sons, Congressman Lord Allan and provincial administrator Mike, all lose their bids
MARINDUQUE, Philippines – The dynasty built by the Velasco family in Marinduque in the past 15 years came crumbling down after three family members — including two incumbents — lost in their respective races.
In the gubernatorial race, congressman and former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco (NPC) lost to Mel Go (PDP–Laban), a former provincial board member.
Lord Allan had maxed out his term as district representative and sought to switch position with his father, Governor Presbitero Velasco.
Go, who defeated Lord Allan, was the top provincial board member in his previous elections, in 2004 and 2007. He is currently a trustee of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC).
The votes: Mel Go got 64,987 against Lord Allan Velasco’s 64,734 votes — a difference of 253 votes.
In the congressional race, Governor and former Supreme Court justice Presbitero Velasco (PFP) lost to independent candidate Reynaldo Salvacion, a native of Buenavista town.
Presbitero was only on his second term as governor, and would have been eligible for a third term, were it not for his term-limited son’s need to switch posts with him.
Salvacion, who defeated Presbitero, had sought the governorship in 2019 and the vice governorship in 2022 — he lost both bids.
The votes: Reynaldo Salvacion garnered 72,464 votes against Presbitero Velasco’s 55,689 votes.
A third Velasco, Mike (PFP), ran for mayor of Mogpog, challenging the reelectionist Jojo Livelo.
It was Mike’s first time to seek an elective post; he was serving as provincial administrator of his father Presbitero.
Livelo, whom Mike failed to defeat, is an independent who will be serving his third and final term.
The votes: Jojo Livelo got 12,000 votes against Mike Velasco’s 7,085 votes.
The winners were proclaimed by the local canvassing board on Tuesday, May 13, based on 98.58% of the election returns. As of 5:48 pm, 277 of the 281 precincts in the province had transmitted their counts to the Commission on Election server.
Marinduque has 165,436 registered voters for the 2025 elections.
On Facebook, netizens attributed the loss of the Velasco’s to Marinduqueños’ protest of political dynasties, and the youth’s realization that they wanted better governance. – Rappler.com
Lorence Joshua Soto is a first year BA Communication student at Marinduque State University. The editorial chief of Sentro Publication, he is also an Aries Rufo Journalism candidate from April-May 2025.
