In Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, the 2025 local elections became a high-stakes battle for power, marked by political dynasties, shifting alliances, and the sharp edge of sarcasm.
Justin Gatuslao seized victory in the vice mayoral race by wielding the phrase, “Kung ikaw gina-ipit, idala lang sa hutik” (If you’re being pressured, just whisper it), transforming a sarcastic comment about an alleged political manipulation and pressure into the driving force of his campaign.
This wasn’t an election defined by loud speeches or public showdowns; rather, it was a subtle, almost mocking jab at the Tongson political machine.
Gatuslao’s quiet defiance—expressed through sarcasm—challenged the very structure of power he had once been part of, turning his sarcastic whisper into a powerful weapon.
Unexpected split
Once united in the “ToGa” tandem, Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tongson and Gatuslao shared a common goal. However, their alliances splintered in 2024, catching both their supporters and the city off-guard.
The split, which occurred on the very day they filed their certificate of candidacies (COCs), marked the end of a long-lasting political alliance.
Tongson, seeking to preserve his family’s political dynasty, ran with his first cousin, Raymundo “Third” Tongson, as his vice mayoral candidate, forming the “TongTong” tandem.
Meanwhile, Gatuslao, also in his final term, selected former city engineer Vicente Genova as his running mate and formed the “GeGa” pair.
In this political rupture, Gatuslao turned the sarcastic “whisper” into a central element of his campaign that set him apart. While Tongson relied on his well-oiled political machinery, Gatuslao’s sarcastic critique of the tactics that underpinned that power structure resonated deeply with voters.
Sarcasm as strategy
What began as a humorous remark about the subtle pressures of political loyalty became the heart of Gatuslao’s political strategy. “Kung ikaw gina-ipit, idala lang sa hutik” was no longer just a joke—it became a sharp jab at the very tactics used by the Tongsons to maintain control.
Gatuslao turned sarcasm into his weapon, pointing out how some voters, he claimed, were pressured into not supporting him. The Tongson camp vehemently denied these allegations, including accusations that they were behind the defacing of Gatuslao’s campaign materials.
Rather than engaging in confrontation, Gatuslao turned the concept of political pressure into an ironic battle cry. He didn’t need to shout or rally—he simply mocked the very system that sought to control the city’s politics.
The line was both an acknowledgment of the alleged pressures in play and a refusal to bow to them. Gatuslao’s approach was about laughing at the system and showing that you could resist without raising your voice.
His campaign was built on this wit, calling out the absurdity of coercive politics while still playing the game. And when it came time for voters to cast their ballots, they responded.
His sarcastic defiance proved just as powerful as any loud political battle cry, demonstrating that sometimes a well-timed jab can do more than any roar ever could.
A victory built on wit
When the final votes were counted, the results revealed the power of Gatuslao’s strategy. In the mayoral race, Rogelio Raymund Tongson won handily with 44,462 votes, easily defeating Genova, who only received 15,347 votes.
But the vice mayoral race told a different story.
Gatuslao narrowly defeated Raymundo “Third” Tongson, securing 31,541 votes to 28,455. Despite the slim margin, the result revealed cracks in the Tongson political grip. While they retained control of the mayor’s office, their dominance in the city’s two highest positions was far from secure.
Gatuslao transformed his sarcastic jab at political coercion into a rallying cry for voters, turning it into a powerful tool of resistance. The sarcastic line that had started as a comment on political pressure became the cornerstone of a campaign that successfully undermined the political system that once supported him.*
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.