MISAMIS Oriental’s 1st Congressional District is set for a rematch between incumbent Congressman Christian Unabia and Atty. Karen Lagbas, as both filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COC) for the 2025 elections.
Unabia filed his candidacy on the morning of October 7, followed by Lagbas on the afternoon of October 8 at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office.
Unabia, who is seeking his third and final term, filed alongside other key political figures, including 2nd District Congressman Yevgeny Vincente ‘Bambi’ Emano, Governor Peter Unabia, Vice Governor Jeremy Jonahmar Pelaez, and 12 board member candidates under the Paglaum-PaDayn Pilipino Alliance Party.
Highlighting his accomplishments, Unabia touted a billion pesos worth of infrastructure projects, livelihood programs, and scholarships.
“Isa pa,” he urged his supporters, expressing his desire to serve the district for another term.
Lagbas, daughter of the late Congressman Danilo Lagbas, aims to unseat Unabia, after narrowly losing to him in the 2022 elections by 9,061 votes.
While Unabia enjoys strong political backing from local leaders and barangay officials, Lagbas is pushing her own candidacy under the National Unity Party (NUP), alongside prominent figures such as former Congresswoman Juliette Uy and Provincial Board Member Fredrick Khu.
Their 2022 contest saw Lagbas win five municipalities, but Unabia took six areas, including a decisive victory in Gingoog City.
In a related development, former presidential assistant Pacifico Pupos, Jr., also filed his COC for vice mayor of Medina, further adding to the political buzz in the province.
