Former General Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera has officially declared his candidacy for the 2025 midterm elections, setting the stage for a high-profile battle against the incumbent Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao. Rivera, who previously served as mayor from 2013 to 2022, aims to reclaim the city’s top post, reigniting a political rivalry between the Riveras and Pacquiaos that has shaped GenSan politics in recent years.
Rivera confirmed his candidacy in an interview with Snitch Media, announcing that he will file his certificate of candidacy on Monday, October 7. He will be running alongside incumbent Vice Mayor Rosalita Nuñez, forming a tandem under the RCR slate. The RCR slate, named after Rivera, includes a powerhouse lineup of candidates, with Congresswoman Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles also seeking re-election.
The RCR slate’s city council candidates include:
- Jonathan Blando
- Edgar Acharon
- Froebel Kan Balleque
- Bing Dinopol
- Cesar Bañas
- Ramon Melliza
- John Salvador Demdam
- Willie Dangane
- Abdul Wahid Bualan
Rivera’s return to politics marks the continuation of his rivalry with the Pacquiao family, whose influence has grown significantly in the region. Lorelie Pacquiao, wife of Bobby Pacquiao and sister-in-law of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, succeeded Rivera as mayor in 2022, and the Pacquiao family’s People’s Champ Movement (PCM) has dominated local politics since then.
During Rivera’s nine-year term, he and the Pacquiaos often found themselves on opposite sides of the political spectrum. While Rivera’s leadership focused on economic growth and infrastructure development, the Pacquiaos, particularly under the PCM banner, have built a platform around social services and grassroots mobilization. Lorelie Pacquiao’s 2022 victory further solidified the family’s political stronghold in the city, but Rivera’s re-entry signals a challenge to that dominance.
As Rivera looks to reclaim his position, the 2025 elections promise to be a crucial test of the political landscape in General Santos City. The rivalry between Rivera and Pacquiao reflects broader political dynamics, with both camps aiming to capture the support of various sectors, from business leaders to grassroots communities.
The Riveras and Pacquiaos will not only face off in GenSan’s mayoral race but also in other key positions. Lorelie Pacquiao’s husband, Bobby Pacquiao, is running for a second term as congressman of Sarangani, while Manny Pacquiao seeks a Senate comeback, adding further complexity to the upcoming elections.
With both sides fielding experienced candidates, the 2025 midterms in GenSan are expected to be a closely watched contest, setting the stage for another chapter in the ongoing political rivalry.
