Fernando wins House seat

MANILA, Philippines – Former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando is back in politics.

Fernando, also a former Marikina mayor, won as representative of the city’s first district.

Fernando, who ran under the Nationalist People’s Coalition, garnered 43,127 votes.

His rivals Samuel Ferriol of the Liberal Party received 29,619 votes while independent candidate Jopet Sison garnered 3,490 votes.

The Commission on Elections has proclaimed Fernando along with newly elected Mayor Marcy Teodoro, Vice Mayor Fabian Cadiz and Second District Rep. Miro Quimbo.

Fernando’s confidant Jojo Pinga said the candidate won by a landslide in all barangays in his district.

Pinga said Fernando would sponsor laws to address the flooding in Marikina.

During his term as Marikina mayor, Fernando was credited for his innovative ways of imposing discipline among the residents.

He implemented several projects such as the pink flyovers to ease traffic in Metro Manila when he served as MMDA chief.

Fernando decided to return to politics after Teodoro vacated his post as congressman and challenged Mayor Del de Guzman in the mayoral race.