Local elections were held in Naga City, Camarines Sur, on May 14, 2001, as part of the 2001 Philippine general election. Voters elected a mayor, vice mayor, and members of the Naga City Council.

Background

In 1998, Jesse Robredo was term-limited after serving three consecutive terms as mayor of Naga City. His long-time ally and former city administrator Sulpicio S. Roco ran under the reform-oriented Aksyon Demokratiko banner and won the mayoralty in a landslide, continuing the governance model Robredo had institutionalized. Roco’s administration maintained the participatory governance mechanisms and developmental agenda established in the Robredo years, and the Aksyon-led coalition swept all major local positions.

By 2001, the political landscape in Naga was undergoing a shift. Roco, after serving a single term as mayor, chose not to seek re-election, paving the way for a political comeback by Jesse Robredo, who had taken a brief hiatus from politics following his term limit. Robredo filed his candidacy under the newly formed local party "NagAksyon", a merger of Aksyon Demokratiko loyalists and civic leaders.

The 2001 elections marked Robredo’s bid to return to city hall and resume his reform agenda, this time with broader grassroots mobilization and deeper organizational backing. His main rival was LDP candidate Rodolfo Fortuno.

The contest was seen as a referendum on whether Naga’s electorate would reaffirm its commitment to Robredo’s governance style or shift toward a more traditional political machinery. Ultimately, Robredo won decisively, signaling public approval of his leadership legacy and returning him to the mayoralty.

Mayoral election

In the mayoral race, former mayor Jesse Robredo returned to office under the banner of the Lakas–NUCD–UMDP. He previously served as mayor from 1988 to 1998.

Results

Vice mayoral election

Results

2001 Naga City Council election Source:

The Naga City Council is composed of 12 councillors, 10 of whom are elected by the public. The remaining two are ex officio members.

Ex officio members: Julian C. Lavadia Jr. – President, Liga ng mga Barangay Yelanie G. Regmalos-Bautista – SK Federation President (until July 31, 2002) Allen L. Reodanga – SK Federation President (from August 1, 2002)

References