Romualdos trade places, seek reelection in Camiguin Island

The 2022 elections in the small island province of Camiguin Island would still be a family affair for the powerful Romualdo family.

Camiguin Governor Jurdin Jesus “JJ” Romualdo led his family’s ticket in filing certificates of candidacy before the provincial office of the Commission on Elections on Thursday, October 7.

Romualdo is seeking his old congressional post in Camiguin’s lone district, while his son Xavier Jesus “XJ” is running for governor. 

XJ is serving his third and final office term as Camiguin’s congressman, a position he first won as a substitute candidate for his grandfather Pedro who died on April 23, 2013, just three weeks before that year’s elections.

XJ was a new lawyer in 2013 – he ranked 4th in the 2012 Bar examinations – and defeated former Misamis Oriental governor and assemblyman Homobono Adaza.

His governor-father JJ also held the congressional post from 1998 to 2007, served as governor from 2017 to 2016, and became mayor of the province’s capital town of Mambajao for three years, while JJ’s wife Maria Luisa was governor until 2019. 

JJ was elected governor again in 2019 while his brother Rodin “Dandan” Romualdo won in the race for the vice gubernatorial post. Dandan, who is serving his first office term as vice governor, also filed his COC under his brother’s ticket.

Governor Romualdo’s other son, Yñigo Jesus “YJ”, is the mayor of Mambajao, Camiguin’s capital, and is seeking reelection. – Rappler.com