Several political figures in North and Central Luzon made last-minute switches in their election bids as the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) closed on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
In Ilocos Norte, Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc and Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta Marcos seek to swap positions.
Manotoc, citing exhaustion from his duties as governor, will now run for vice governor, while his aunt, Araneta Marcos, will vie for the governorship.
In Dingras, Mayor Joefrey Saguid withdrew from his re-election bid, with his son Joemelle Saguid, running initially for councilor, now running unopposed for mayor.
Joefrey will now contest a seat as board member for Ilocos Norte's Second District.
In Isabela, Ilagan City Mayor Jose Marie Diaz is seeking his third and final term, with his son, Councilor Jay Eveson Diaz, running for vice mayor under Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.
In Nueva Ecija, former General Tinio Mayor Virgilio Bote filed his COC for governor, with ex-Vice Governor Edward Thomas Joson as his running mate.
In Abra, Vice Mayor Joaquin Enrico Bernos is running for governor, and his mother, incumbent Vice Governor Maria Jocelyn Bernos, is seeking re-election. They will face former Governor Takit Bersamin and Board Member Ann Bersamin.
In Pampanga, Governor Dennis "Delta" Pineda and Vice Governor Lilia "Nanay" Pineda announced they will exchange positions for the 2025 elections.
In Tarlac, Congressman Christian Yap is running for governor while his father, Vic Yap, is aiming for Second District representative.