BAGUIO CITY – Majority of those who won in the recently concluded May 9, 2016 general and automated elections are those who were veteran politicians or those who belong to influential political families in their respective places.
Results coming from the different provincial and city offices of the Commission on Elections showed that there will be three new lawmakers, four new provincial governors and five new vice governors as well as two new mayors of capital towns in the region.
In Apayao, incumbent Rep. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang, Gov. Elias C. Bulut, Jr. and Vice Governor-elect Reny Albano were unopposed in their respective positions while Mayor Josephine Bangsil of the capital town of Luna retained her post.
Incumbent La Paz Mayor Joseph Sto. Nino Bernos edged three-term San Juan Mayor Marco Bautista for the coveted congressional seat of Abra owning the distinction of being one of the youngest lawmakers in the upcoming 17th Congress while her sister-in-law incumbent Abra Rep. Maria Jocelyn Bernos won over Ruby Bersamin, wife of incumbent Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin, for the gubernatorial post. Her father, Mayor Dominique Valera won over Gov. Bersamin for local chief executive of Bangued while Boliney Mayor Ronald Balaw-as beat former vice Governor Rolando Somera for the position of presiding officer of the Sangguniag Panlalawigan.
Businessman Mark Go unseated incumbent Rep. Nicasio Aliping, Jr. for the city’s congressional position while incumbent Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan and vice Mayor Edison Bilog retained their respective positions after the canvassing of votes and the subsequent proclamation of winners in the elections.
Liberal Party (LP) standardbearer and incumbent Benguet Rep. Ronald M. Cosalan won over incumbent Gov. Nestor Fongwan in the hotly contested congressional seat while former Itogon Mayor and Vice Governor Crescencio Pacalso overshadowed big names in politics in order to become the next governor of Benguet. Boardmember Florence Tingabaoen will be the province’s first lady residing officer of the provincial board while incumbent La Trinidad Vice mayor also won over big names in the political arena to become the next local chief executive of the capital town.
Incumbent Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat, Jr. was re-elected for the province’s congressional seat while Vice Governor Pedro Mayam-o won over his six other rivals, including incumbent Gov. Dennisd Habawel and former Gov. Eugene Balitang, to become the next local chief executive of the province. The vice gubernatorial position went to Jose Gullitiw while Omar Habawel was elected as the mayor of the capital town of Lagawe.
Incumbent Lainga Vice governor Allen Jesse Mangaoang won over his archrival Camilo Lammawin to become the next congressman of the province while incumbent Gov. Jocel C. Baac was re-elected as the province’s governor. Incumbent Pasil Mayor won over his rivals to be the next vice governor while Mayor Ferdinand Tubban remained as the City Mayor of Tabuk City.
In Mountain Province, incumbent Rep. Maximo Dalog was unopposed for his third term while the provincial board of canvassers by majority vote decided to proclaim lawyer Cathy Jill Mayaen as the substitute of her late father, Gov. Leonard G,. Mayaen, who was unopposed for the province’s gubernatorial post for her to become the next governor of the province by June 30, 2016. Incumbent Vice Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan, Jr., who was also unopposed for the position, was proclaimed as the vice governor while unopposed Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey will remain the local chief executive of the capital town.
The canvassed votes for the national and local elective positions were forwarded by the different Comelec offices to the central office in Manila for consolidation and the subsequent canvassing of the votes for the national positions.
The winning candidates will be taking their respective oaths of office by noon of June 30, 2016 prior to their performing their duties and responsibilities provided for by their respective positions as mandated by existing laws, rules and regulations.
By HENT
