Incumbents rule in Southern Mindanao

DAVAO CITY — Majority of the incumbents in Southern Mindanao who sought re-election under the administration’s Lakas-CMD (Christian-Muslim Democrats) party, were among the early winners in Monday’s general elections.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte emerged with 286,394 votes against his rival, former mayor Benjamin de Guzman’s 145,432 votes in the partial, unofficial count of the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel).

The incumbent congressmen of the city’s three districts also convincingly beat their respective opponents.

Unopposed first district Rep. Prospero Nograles got 138,953 votes. Second district Rep. Vincent Garcia garnered 100,667 votes against his rival, Joselito Lumain’s 15,919, while third district Rep. Ruy Elias Lopez got 85,857 votes against Teresita Marañon’s 20,305.

Island Garden City of Samal Mayor Roger Antalan was proclaimed winner Wednesday morning. He got 20,782 votes against his rival, Susan Durano’s 14,135.

Mayor Gregorio Facula of Braulio Dujali, Davao del Norte led the mayoralty race with 4,531 votes, with Lolita Mural trailing behind with 3,362 votes.

The town’s vice mayor, Mario Jumaway (Lakas-CMD), was re-elected with 5,289 votes.

Meanwhile, in Maco, Compostela Valley, Voltaire Rimando, a newcomer running under the Lakas-CMD, won over incumbent Mayor Miller Alaba.

Mayor Macario Jumol of Nabunturan, Compostela Valley, ran unopposed, while his running mate, incumbent Vice Mayor Romeo Clarin, was reported to have topped his race.

Incumbent Mayor Rey Gavina of Panabo City, Davao del Norte, got 31,195 votes against his rival, Rudy Adlaon’s 5,808.

Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr. was unopposed in his re-election, while Davao del Sur Reps. Douglas Cagas and Claude Bautista were headed for victory in the early Namfrel count in their respective areas.

Compostela Valley’s two incumbent congressmen, Manuel Zamora and Prospero Amatong, were also leading.