Over nine hours after the voting process, incumbent Mayor Albee Benitez was proclaimed winner in the congressional race in Bacolod City’s Lone District.

The proclamation was carried out past 4 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Greg Gastaya, incumbent congressman, who won in the mayoral race, and Kalaw Puentevella, vice mayor-elect, were also proclaimed. 

Most of the candidates for councilors in Benitez’ group emerged victorious.

Councilor-elect Wilson Gamboa Jr., the lone winner from the group of Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, was also proclaimed formally.

Prior to the proclamation, teachers who served during the May 2025 midterm polls gathered at the Bacolod City Government Center Grounds because of the slow turnover of election paraphernalia to the COMELEC.

Delays were reported because of Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) that malfunctioned, such as in Barangay Singcang Airport, past 8 p.m. when the voting resumed.

“Pagod at ang pawis at init nagsama sa katawan ko,” Reggie, who voted for the first time, said.

“Medyo excited ngunit nakakapagod talaga. Akala namin okay lang, ang ending andaming tao,” said Glydel, another person who voted for the first time.

Meanwhile, over 50 voters were stung by bees.

A beehive fell from a tree inside the Rodolfo A. Medel Elementary School in Barangay Tangub.

The beehive fell right where voters were queuing, sending a scare.

The voters rushed inside classrooms that led to a delay in the voting.

“Nagtakbuhan sila dahil hinabol sila ng bubuyog. Kami dito sa office, nagsara rin. Ang iba tumakbo sa field kasi nanghahabol pala,” Maria Fe Toleda, school principal, said.

Youth volunteers assisted the persons stung by bees.

“Kung ma-sting ka ng bee, first stay calm lang. Lumayo lang sa bee. Ang iyong first aid dyan is cold compression kung hindi ka naman na-sting,” advised Rhen Denise Vinzon, Red Cross Youth team leader.

The Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office assured they would remove what remains of the beehive up on the tree to avoid a similar incident once classes resume.