LAPU-LAPU CITY, Philippines – In a closely watched mayoral race that reflected both local dynamics and national political alliances, Lapu-Lapu City Representative Ma. Cynthia King-Chan emerged victorious on Monday, May 12, securing her return to city hall with 134,028 votes, based on partial, unofficial results from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
With 76.16% of election returns transmitted as of 11:58 p.m., Chan outpaced former congresswoman Paz Radaza and independent candidate Christine Takahashi, consolidating support from key political factions and a wide voter base. The city has over 277,000 registered voters, underscoring the weight of Chan’s majority in the local polls.
- Cynthia King-Chan Clinches Mayoral Victory in Lapu-Lapu City, Solidifies Coalition Strength
- Partial and unofficial results of Partylist Race 2025
- VP Sarah Duterte, A Renewed Beginning for the Opposition
- ELECTION 2025 RESULTS: 3rd District of Leyte
- ELECTION RESULTS: Candidates in the 2025 Philippine Senate
Chan ran under the local political coalition Team Kaabag, backed by influential national parties Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas–CMD) and Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP). Lakas–CMD is chaired by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, while PFP is the ruling party of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Her candidacy became a strategic convergence of local leadership and national endorsement, highlighting the growing synergy between city governance and the country’s current political landscape.
“This victory belongs to the people of Lapu-Lapu,” Chan said in a brief statement following her projected win. “We are ready to continue the work we started — to build a safer, smarter, and stronger city for every Oponganon.”
Political analysts note that Chan’s win signals continued public trust in her leadership, following her stint as city mayor prior to serving as a representative. Her return to city hall is widely seen as a move that ensures continuity of infrastructure, tourism, and public service initiatives that were hallmarks of her previous term.
Meanwhile, her closest rival, Paz Radaza — a political veteran and former ally-turned-opponent — failed to regain her former post despite her extensive campaign rooted in grassroots mobilization.
As the city awaits the full canvassing of votes and official proclamation, Chan’s win represents more than just personal political resurgence. It reflects the enduring influence of strategic alliances in shaping local outcomes — and may well hint at the evolving political terrain in the run-up to the 2028 national elections.
Lapu-Lapu City, one of the fastest-growing urban centers in Central Visayas, now looks ahead to a new chapter under familiar leadership, as Mayor-elect Cynthia King-Chan prepares to reclaim the seat she once held, promising continuity, stability, and a renewed commitment to inclusive progress.