In the 2022 Philippine presidential election, former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. narrowly won the province of Batangas, defeating Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo by a close margin of 4.11%. With Marcos securing 719,971 votes, this made Batangas the 6th closest province in terms of margin of victory. This result marked a significant shift from the 2016 vice-presidential race, where Robredo had won the province decisively by a 21% margin.[3]
Robredo, despite her active efforts to replicate her 2016 success, faced stiff competition. While she campaigned extensively across the province, visiting Padre Garcia, Lipa City, Balayan, and Tanauan,[4] Marcos was able to secure key victories. Out of Batangas' 34 municipalities and cities, Marcos won in 20, contributing significantly to his narrow margin of victory.
Robredo's campaign drew large crowds, with a rally in Bauan attracted approximately 280,000 attendees, underscoring her local popularity.[5] She also received endorsements from religious leaders like the Council of Bishops of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines and 118 priests from the Archdiocese of Lipa,[6]
However, local political dynamics were not entirely in her favor. Batangas political figures such as Batangas Representative Vilma Santos-Recto and Senator Ralph Recto, both former allies who supported her in 2016, endorsed Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko" Moreno in 2022.[7] Their party, One Batangas, promised 1 million votes for Moreno, which likely fragmented the voting base and contributed to Marcos' ultimate success in the province.
Marcos' victory in Batangas illustrated a broader trend in the province, as voters swung in favor of his candidacy, contributing to his overall national victory.