ORMOC CITY – To bolster local governance and legislative leadership in Eastern Visayas, the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines (VMLP)-Eastern Visayas Chapter elected a new set of officers for the 2025–2028 term during its Regional Assembly and Election of Officers held at Marco Polo Plaza, Cebu City on September 23, 2025.
The activity emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability and responsibility, and solidarity among city and municipal vice mayors of the region. The election was orchestrated under the stewardship of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 8, wherein Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe chaired the VMLP Committee on Elections (COMELEC).
The newly elected VMLP Eastern Visayas officers is led by Emmanuel T. Tiu Sonco from the local government unit (LGU) of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, who won as regional president; Jonathan P. Chiquillo of LGU-Palo, Leyte as vice president; secretary general is Edith Ann Basco of LGU-Balangkayan, Eastern Samar; Veronica C. Ramirez of LGU-Guiuan, Eastern Samar as regional treasurer; Elizabeth L. Saldivar of LGU-Libagon, Southern Leyte as Regional Auditor I; Maria Judith O. Marks of LGU-Marabut, Samar as Regional Auditor II; and Galahad O. Vicencio of LGU-Catubig, Northern Samar as Regional PRO I; Nicanor Tahup of LGU-Tomas Oppus, Southern Leyte as Regional PRO II; Rex M. Daguman of LGU-Calbayog City, Samar as Regional PRO III.
Meanwhile, chosen as Board of Directors (BODs) for Samar are Arthur Aban from LGU-Hinabangan and Edgar M. Tonelete from LGU-Pinabacdao.
Moreover, BODs for Northern Samar are Minda M. Tan from LGU-Las Navas and Myla D. Marquita from LGU-Mondragon.
For Eastern Samar, the BODs are Aurolino B. Cabos from LGU-Mercedes and Sheila B. Dongallo from LGU-Taft; Leslie Ann U. Jayme from LGU-Culaba and Linda V. Baleyos from LGU-Caibiran for Biliran; Miguel Jorge P. Tan from LGU-Kananga and Jimmy A. Camposano from LGU-Carigara for Leyte; and Joel G. Avila from LGU-San Ricardo and Papias R. Namoc from LGU-Malitbog for Southern Leyte.
Director Agabe administered the oath of office to the newly elected officers after the election. Agabe also imparted a message that the said election is not only a mandate but also a call to shape local legislation that truly responds to the needs of communities and that the DILG will continue to walk with them in this mission, providing guidance and support so that together they can build a stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive Eastern Visayas. By Gwen Maurillo (EV Mail SEPTEMBER 22-28, 2025 issue)
