Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson is entering his final term with no confirmed initial plans for 2028, but said he intends to exhaust his full capacity in the next three years, leaving the door open for what may come next.
“It’s anybody’s game in 2028,” he said, noting the city’s political landscape is wide open after both he and Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao ran—and won—without a unified ticket.
Tongson and Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao, who filed their certificate of candidacies (COCs) separately last year, were both re-elected and took their oaths jointly before Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on June 25.
“I am looking for a good run in the next three years,” Tongson said, emphasizing that his current focus is on performance rather than positioning.
Asked if he would pursue a congressional seat, Tongson replied, “I will cross the bridge when I get there.” However, he confirmed that options remain open depending on how his term unfolds.
“At least if I am doing my job well, I can bring something strong when I campaign for whatever position in 2028,” he said.
TongTong or ToGa?
While offering no confirmation, Tongson also said he advised his cousin and running mate Raymund Tongson III, to take note of the recent voter turnout, suggesting it could serve as a reference point for any future political decisions leading up to 2028.
As for the possibility of reviving the once-formidable “TOGA” tandem with Gatuslao, the mayor said, “It’s very hard to see it now.”
But he added that political dynamics remain unpredictable. “Nothing is impossible,” he said.
“TOGA was even impossible before, but it happened. So let’s see what the Himamaylanons and God will create, as far as the political relationship of the parties involved. Let’s see.”
On the other hand, outside politics, Tongson briefly shared a personal update: “I am very, very happy with my personal and private life. Somebody owns my heart.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.