The election is expected to be competitive after Isko Moreno, who served as mayor from 2019 to 2022, formed the Bagong Maynila party to contest the election with a full slate of candidates, despite a plea from the incumbent Mayor Lacuna to "reconsider his plans".[2]
In August 2024, members of the city council allied with Moreno filed an injunction against Vice Mayor Yul Servo, Majority Floor Leader Ernesto Isip Jr., Minority Floor Leader Philip Lacuna, and 19 other councilors for conducting a session on July 23, when the city government declared all work to be suspended in view of Typhoon Carina.[2] The Moreno allies who filed the suit condemned the meeting as being "illegal and secret", noting that ₱83 million city council funds were transferred to the office of the mayor during the meeting.[3] The accused belied the suit and said that the session was live streamed.[3]
Local elections in the Philippines are held in every second Monday of May, every three years starting in 1992. Single-seat positions (mayor, vice mayor and House representative) are elected via first-past-the-post-voting. The mayor and vice mayor are elected by the city at-large, while the House representative and city councilors are elected per district.
City council elections are done via plurality block voting; for the Manila City Council, the city is divided into six districts, with each district sending six councilors. There are two other ex officio seats, from the municipal presidents of the Liga ng mga Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan; these will be determined later in the year at the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
Voters in Manila shall also elect senators and party-list representatives on this day.
The incumbent mayor is Honey Lacuna, who was elected in 2022 with 63.68% of the vote. Elected as a member of Asenso Manileño, Lacuna is seeking reelection to a second consecutive term as a member of Lakas–CMD, having joined the party on August 7, 2024.[4]
Lacuna previously served as vice mayor from 2019 to 2022 under former Mayor Isko Moreno, who did not seek a second term to run for president of the Philippines.[5] In July 2024, media outlets reported that Moreno plans to seek a return to the mayoralty under a newly formed "Bagong Maynila" party, severing his ties to the Asenso Manileño party but remaining a member of Aksyon Demokratiko, continuing his role as its president.[6] Following the reports, Lacuna remained committed with her reelection bid and encouraged Moreno to reconsider his plans for the mayoralty, while maintaining respect for his eventual decision, emphasizing her "sibling love" for the former.[7]
On July 22, 2024, Moreno introduced his vice mayoral running mate Ali Atienza, as well as the prospective local candidates under his ticket, including his son Joaquin.[8] However, Atienza was later replaced by his sister Chi.
Councilors Irma Alfonso, Niño dela Cruz, Jesus Fajardo Jr., Martin V. Isidro Jr. and Erick Ian Nieva are eligible for reelection, while Councilor Moises Lim is term-limited.
Councilors Ruben Buenaventura, Rodolfo Lacsamana, Numero Lim, Roma Paula Robles-Daluz and Darwin Sia are eligible for reelection, while Councilor Macario Lacson is term-limited.
Councilors Arlene Maile Atienza, Pamela Fugoso, Ernesto Isip Jr., Apple Nieto-Rodriguez and Tol Zarcal are eligible for reelection, while Councilor Terrence Alibarbar is term-limited. However, Nieto-Rodriguez chose to retire from the council to run for district representative.
Councilors Don Juan Bagatsing, Louisa Quintos and Science Reyes are eligible for reelection, while Councilors Krystle Marie Bacani, Luisito Chua and Joel T. Villanueva are term-limited.
Councilors Roberto Espiritu II, Jaybee Hizon, Charry Ortega and Raymundo Yupangco are eligible for reelection, while Councilors Laris Borromeo and Ricardo Isip Jr. are term-limited.
Councilors Benny Fog Abante III, Salvador Philip Lacuna, Elmer Par, Luis Uy and Lou Veloso are eligible for reelection, while Councilor Carlos Castañeda is term-limited. However, Uy chose to retire from the council to run for district representative.
^Tolentino, Reina C. (August 7, 2024). "Lacuna, Quimbo join Lakas-CMD". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
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