Two mayors in the 3rd district of Bohol have refused to switch parties, bucking a trend that saw many of their colleagues join the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats.
Lila Mayor Arturo Jed Piollo and Candijay Mayor Thamar Olaivar have chosen to remain with their current parties, the Nationalista Party and Lakas ng Demokratikong Pilipino, respectively. Both mayors ran under these parties in the 2022 elections.
Their decision comes after nearly all incumbent mayors in the 3rd district, along with several mayoralty aspirants, took their oaths to join the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats on Sept. 4 in Manila. The oath-taking ceremony was led by Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Third district Rep. Kristine Alexie Tutor, who recently switched from the Nacionalista Party to the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, said she respects the decision of the two mayors.
Tutor believes that unity among 3rd district officials is still achievable despite the mayors’ decision to stay with their current parties.
Tutor’s father, a former member of the National Unity Party, recently joined the Nacionalista Party.