NPC bets sweep Tarlac polls

TARLAC CITY — The political party of business tycoon Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr. will likely maintain its position as the dominant party in the province.

This, as election results showed that most of the winning local candidates are with Cojuangco’s Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) and its local ally, Sama-Sama Tarlac (SST).

Re-electionist Gov. Jose Yap, the NPC provincial chairman, has widened his lead over his closest rival, ex-officio board member Isaias Apostol, president of the Philippine Councilors’ League (PCL)-Tarlac chapter and a candidate of the administration’s Lakas-CMD (Christian-Muslim Democrats).

Also having an edge was Yap’s running mate, re-electionist Vice Gov. Marcelino Aganon Jr., challenged by board member Guillermina Tabamo of the Lakas-CMD.

Both Yap and Aganon were endorsed by the religious sect Iglesia ni Cristo.

In the race for the 10 provincial board seats, nine NPC bets in Tarlac’s three districts were leading the canvassing of votes.

Tarlac Reps. Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and Jesli Lapus, of the first and third districts, respectively, ran unopposed. Both are with the NPC.

Second district Rep. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, who is with the Liberal Party, was winning over his two rivals, Marcos loyalist bet Eduardo Caymo and independent Jorge de los Reyes.

In Tarlac’s 17 municipalities, the NPC was losing the mayoral race in only three towns — Capas, Concepcion and Ramos.

In Tarlac City, re-electionist Mayor Genaro Mendoza (Lakas-CMD) was leading the count. Closely trailing him was former mayor Gelacio Manalang. — Benjie Villa