The collaborative efforts of Transparency Good Governance and Accountability Advocates and Visayas Social Pulse have produced a detailed assessment revealing the province’s most effective municipal councilors for the final quarter of 2025, with leading officials securing approval ratings that surpass 94 percent.
Conducted between January 10-25, 2026, this extensive evaluation engaged 7,500 randomly chosen registered voters from cities and municipalities throughout Negros Oriental. The research maintained statistical integrity with a ±1 percent margin of error and 95 percent confidence level, ensuring reliable representation of public opinion regarding official performance and trustworthiness.
Exceptional Leadership Earns Highest Recognition
Five councilors achieved the pinnacle of public approval, sharing the top position with identical 94.60% ratings: Thirdy Bouffard, Rey Lyndon Lawas, Inday Jane Cardenas, and Reynaldo Tuanda Jr. Their outstanding performance across multiple evaluation metrics distinguished them as exemplary public servants during the assessment timeframe.
Stay informed with our free weekly newsletter. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Following closely in second place with 94.05% approval were Tata Capulso, Rina Goñi, Clint Charles Delmo, Gino Mijares, and Edwin Omoso. The third tier secured 93.50% approval, featuring Marife Cordova, Stanley Fortugaleza, Archie Gentiles, Clark Serion, and Ralph Angelo Andaya.
The fourth-ranking group, earning 93.20% approval, comprised Bimbong Megio, Dean David Ang, Anna Jay Ortega, Jonathan Dingal, and Alvin Lance Trinidad. Fifth position included Jim Torres Gara, RJ Banquerigo, Arnold Lape, Dino Abiera, Chard Cardenas, and Clem Banua, achieving 92.90% approval ratings.
Rigorous Assessment Framework
Survey coordinators implemented a thorough evaluation system examining crucial aspects of legislative performance, including leadership capabilities, policy development, strategic planning, healthcare initiatives, emergency response, transparency measures, security programs, and public service excellence.
Additional evaluation criteria encompassed professional competency, community engagement levels, and public accessibility. This comprehensive framework ensured detailed analysis of each councilor’s effectiveness and dedication to their constitutional responsibilities.
The independent “Boses ng Bayan” survey operated as a component of the broader “Tingog sa Katawhan” polling initiative, designed to measure citizen satisfaction with local government effectiveness throughout the province.
Strong Mid-Tier Performance Demonstrates Quality Governance
Positions six through ten maintained impressive approval ratings exceeding 91 percent. The sixth rank, achieving 92.75%, included EJ Uy, Woodtamm Maquiling, Franklyn Sesmeña, Joy Calinagan, and Rene Gargoles.
Seventh position featured Diego Santiago, Bing-Bing Arbolado, Bingbong Tadita, and Romeo Alviola with 92.35% approval. Eighth place encompassed JV Imbo, Elma Zanisi, Flor Trinidad, Jane Albina, and Florante Partosa at 92% approval.
Glendon Nochefranca, Renz Macion, Darren Nipshagen, and Jose Manuel Montebon secured ninth position with 91.50% ratings. Tenth rank included Bernice Elmaco, Nestle Villacampa, Gevelyn Palumar, Gerard Jun Borromeo, and Dodong Zuniega at 91.20%.
Complete Top 15 Maintains High Public Confidence
All councilors within the top 15 rankings achieved approval ratings above 89 percent, demonstrating consistent public satisfaction with local representation. Eleventh position featured Lisa Tinaco, Romulo Alforque, and Melbourne Bustamante with 90.55% approval.
Larry Rodriguez, Bernadeth Bato, Nelson Faburada, and Dennis Omoso occupied twelfth place at 90.35%. Thirteenth position included Nelson Bandoles, Herman Carballo, and James Bryan Solitana with 89.90% approval.
Emilio Yoldi, Monika Gustillo, and Mercy Uy held fourteenth position at 89.50%. The final top 15 positions included Mike Vito Abing, Mark Fidencio, Aurelia Pristine Abrio, and Cocoy Nuico with 89.15% approval ratings.
Methodological Excellence Ensures Accuracy
The survey’s credibility stems from its substantial sample size of 7,500 randomly selected registered voters, representing diverse demographics and geographic regions across Negros Oriental’s municipalities and cities. The minimal ±1 percent error margin combined with 95% confidence level provides exceptional statistical validity.
Randomization protocols eliminated potential bias while ensuring equitable representation across various community sectors and territorial divisions. This approach delivered an authentic representation of provincial sentiment regarding councilor effectiveness.
Survey timing in late January 2026 enabled comprehensive evaluation of fourth-quarter 2025 performance, providing respondents adequate observation periods for informed assessment of their representatives’ accomplishments.
Transparency and Accountability Initiative
Survey organizers emphasized their commitment to maintaining fairness and inclusiveness throughout the evaluation process, generating valuable insights into public official performance. This initiative strengthens governance effectiveness across regional and national levels.
Regular quarterly assessments establish continuous oversight mechanisms for public official performance, creating beneficial accountability systems for both representatives and their constituencies. This systematic evaluation approach significantly advances transparent governance practices.
Results serve multiple stakeholders: providing performance feedback to councilors, informing constituents about representative effectiveness, and establishing improvement benchmarks for enhanced public service delivery.
Provincial Recognition and Achievement
Survey coordinators congratulated all top 15 councilors for their exemplary dedication to public service and constituent welfare. This recognition underscores the critical role of effective local governance in addressing community challenges and aspirations.
Consistently high approval ratings across all top 15 positions indicate substantial resident satisfaction with local representation, as even the lowest-ranked achieves nearly 90% approval ratings.
These positive evaluations reflect favorably on Negros Oriental’s local governance framework, suggesting effective representation across the province’s diverse municipalities and cities.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Kenneth/Telegram
Stay informed — get Negros Oriental news weekly
Free newsletter, no spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
