Southern Leyte is one of the six provinces in the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines. The others are Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar and Samar.
Maasin is the capital of Southern Leyte and the only component city of the province. The province has 18 municipalities namely Anahawan, Bontoc, Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Libagon, Liloan, Limasawa, Macrohon, Malitbog, Padre Burgos, Pintuyan, Saint Bernard, San Francisco, San Juan, San Ricardo, Silago, Sogod and Tomas Oppus.
Born in Maasin, Roger “Oging” Gaviola Mercado served as the governor of Southern Leyte from June 30, 2013 to June 30, 2016. On June 30, 2025, he will assume office again as the congressman of the first district of the province.
2025 Southern Leyte election results
On May 12, 2025, Southern Leyte elected its new congressmen, governor, vice governor and provincial board members. The province has two legislative districts.
CONGRESSMEN
1st district
- Roger “Oging” Gaviola Mercado = 68,306
- Marisa Lerias = 29,109
- Oscar Camus = 2,122
2nd district
- Christopherson “Coco” Macabata Yap = 74,505
- Emie Tan = 68,288
GOVERNOR
- Damian Gaviola Mercado = 126,536
- Amalia Yap = 121,334
- Leo Oliverio = 1,978
VICE GOVERNOR
- Rosa Emilia “Milai” Gaviola Mercado = 139,765
PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBERS
1st district
- Jojo Maraon = 51,259
- Alan Jose Aroy = 48,166
- Boy Rojas = 45,013
- Rolly Manalo = 42,738
- King Ruales = 37,650
- Josefino Cinco = 33,099
2nd district
- Nap Regis = 61,656
- Rolan Bacoy = 57,404
- Roy Dator = 52,788
- Boy Mortera = 50,192
- Jay Calva = 48,964
- Jose Loquinte = 38,170
- Berting Lariba = 13,795
On May 13, 2023, Kimberly Escartin represented Southern Leyte at Miss Universe Philippines 2023 and competed against 37 other candidates at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines. She was unplaced.
On June 29, 2024, Caryl Anne Grate Beltran represented Tomas Oppus at Miss Southern Leyte 2024 and competed against 17 other candidates at the Capitol Sunken Garden in Maasin. She won the title.
Runner-up to Beltran was Shannen Nikki Damasin Ortega of Liloan. The respective second, third and fourth runners-up were Lovely Ivy Gabronino Handog of Malitbog, Angelie Gwyn Jamorol of Anahawan and Desiree Baclayon Gamolo of Hinundayan.
CONAN Daily 