Ben Evardone

Ben Evardone
Governor of Eastern Samar
In office
June 30, 2019 – June 30, 2025
Vice GovernorMaricar Sison
Preceded byMarcelo Ferdinand Picardal
Succeeded byRV Evardone
In office
June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2010
Preceded byClotilde Hilaria Japzon-Salazar
Succeeded byConrado Nicart Jr.
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Eastern Samar's at-large congressional district
In office
June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2019
Preceded byTeodulo Coquila
Succeeded byMaria Fe Abunda
Personal details
BornBen Pagaran Evardone
(1963-09-30) September 30, 1963 (age 63)
Sulat, Samar
PartyPFP (2024–present)
Other political
affiliations
PDP–Laban (2016–2024)
Liberal (2010–2016)
Independent (2009–2010)
Lakas (2007–2009)
LDP (1995–2007)
RelationsRV Evardone (child)
OccupationPolitician

Ben Pagaran Evardone (born September 30, 1963) was the governor of Eastern Samar, Philippines and was the Congressman of Eastern Samar; he was born in Sulat, Eastern Samar (then part of undivided Samar), on September 30, 1963.

Early life

Ben Pagaran Evardone was born on September 30, 1963. Evardone was a former journalist who covered the final years of the Marcos dictatorship. He was also the student council president for the University of the East in 1983.

Political career

First installation as Governor of Eastern Samar (2004-2010)

Evardone served as the governor of Eastern Samar from 2004 to 2010 through two terms: from 2004 to 2007 and from 2007 to 2010. He was an ally of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, supporting the idea of the establishment of a regional government if she were ousted and replaced with a junta.

Eastern Samar Representative (2010-2019)

Evardone, along with Walden Bello, Kaka Bag-ao, Teddy Baguilat, and 20 members of the press, left Manila through two commercial planes to Palawan to pick up a few passengers. They then went to Thitu Island, the planes being the first to land there and the first congregational delegation to visit the island.

Second installation as Governor of Eastern Samar (2022-2025)

Evardone ran for governor in 2022; he also actively voiced his support for then-vice president Leni Robredo's presidential campaign. He got elected as Governor of Eastern Samar. He was also the longest-serving governor and he was the vice president of PDP–Laban for the Visayas. In 2024, Evardone withdrew his candidacy for reelection in the 2025 Philippine general election and was replaced by his son, RV Evardone, who won the election.

Personal life

Evardone is married to Grace Maniago.

Electoral history

Electoral history of Ben Evardone
Year Office Party Votes received Result
Total % P. Swing
2004 Governor of Eastern Samar LDP 75,445 50.20% 1st N/a Won
2007 Lakas–CMD 122,467 84.18% 1st +33.98 Won
2019 PDP–Laban 127,857 56.36% 1st -27.82 Won
2022 211,554 88.52% 1st +32.16 Won
1995 Representative (Eastern Samar) LDP 27,888 25.89% 3rd N/a Lost
2010 IND 74,082 38.07% 1st +12.18 Won
2013 Liberal 79,083 47.16% 1st +9.09 Won
2016 132,089 58.32% 1st +11.16 Won

References

  1. 1 2 "Ben Evardone". Rappler. 2026-05-28. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  2. ↑ "Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone backs Robredo for President". Rappler. 14 March 2022.
  3. ↑ "Evardone reelected as Governor of Eastern Samar". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 12 May 2022. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
  4. ↑ Bello 2025.
  5. ↑ "Evardones reach Eastern Samar's Summit". 2 April 2022.
  6. ↑ "Ben Evardone Profile". 3 August 2019.
  7. ↑ "Last day of COC filing in Eastern Samar, Cebu saw some surprise turns". Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 10, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  8. ↑ Janie Vee T. Gumban (July 2, 2025). "RV Evardone sworn in as youngest governor in Region 8; vows agri modernization in Eastern Samar". Philippine Information Agency. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Working spouses: Grace Evardone opens nail spa with fellow politiko wives". Politiko. April 19, 2017.

Bibliography