By PR | 06:29 PM May 26, 2025
Abante Bohol, a provincial coalition of political parties, has denied claims that it fielded a guest candidate for Provincial Board Member in Bohol’s First District during the May 13, 2025 local and national elections.
The clarification comes after a news report stated that Doc Mutya Tirol, who won a seat as Board Member, ran as a guest candidate under the Abante Bohol banner. The coalition has since refuted the report, calling it misleading.
Stephen Rances, campaign manager of Abante Bohol, issued a statement disowning any affiliation with Tirol. “Doc Mutya Tirol was not a guest candidate of Abante Bohol. She was not adopted nor endorsed by the coalition at any point during the campaign,” Rances said.
He reiterated that the coalition’s official candidates for Provincial Board Member in the First District were Goldie Herrera, Lucille Lagunay, and Willy Ramasola. “Only these three were recognized and supported by the coalition,” Rances emphasized.
Rances pointed out that in the official sample ballots circulated by Abante Bohol, only the names of Herrera, Lagunay, and Ramasola appeared under the slate of Board Member candidates endorsed by the coalition. “That sample ballot reflects the true and official lineup of Abante Bohol,” he added.
Governor Aris Aumentado, the coalition’s central figure, is currently out of the country and has not commented on the matter. However, Rances said all endorsements were made following formal procedures and internal agreements.
“We respect the outcome of the elections and congratulate all winners. However, we feel it is necessary to correct any misinformation suggesting that we had a guest candidate in the First District. That is simply not true,” Rances concluded.
