The province of Davao Occidental held elections for the first time since its creation, and the key positions available were sought by members of just one family: the Bautistas.
Davao del Sur Governor Claude Bautista has two brothers, Franklin and Benjamin, Jr. "Joseph", and a sister, Lorna Bautista Bandigan.[1] All of them ran for positions in the province unopposed.
Franklin is congressman of the 2nd district of Davao del Sur, while Joseph is on his last term as mayor of Malita town in Davao Occidental. On October 12, Lorna Bautista-Bandigan filed her certificate of candidacy for the lone congressional district of Davao Occidental. Bradley Bautista, son of Davao del Sur congressman Franklin, filed for mayor of Malita town, Davao Occidental, seeking to succeed his uncle. Joseph Bautista ran for vice mayor of Davao Occidental.[2]