36 congressional bets assured of victory

MANILA, Philippines — At least 36 congressional candidates, who are unopposed in their districts, are assured of victory.

Among these candidates are Abraham Tolentino, Strike Revilla, Luis Ferrer IV and Alex Advincula of Cavite, Danilo Fernandez and Joaquin Chipeco Jr. of Laguna, Resurrecion Acop of Antipolo City, Henry Villarica of Bulacan, Cristina Garcia of Bataan, Charlie Cojuangco of Tarlac, Mario Mariño of Batangas, Neptali Gonzales of Mandaluyong City, Dale Malapitan of Caloocan City and Wesley Gatchalian of Valenzuela City.

Also without opponents are Angelina Tan and Mark Enverga of Quezon, Franz Alvarez of Palawan, Junie Cua of Quirino, Pablo Ortega of La Union, Elias Bulut of Apayao, Ramon Nolasco Jr. of Cagayan, Arnulfo Teves Jr. of Negros Oriental as well as Ma. Lourdes Arroyo, Leo Cueva and Jose Benitez of Negros Occidental.

 Vincent Garcia and Isidro Ungab of Davao City, Corazon Malanyaon and Joel Mayo Almario of Davao Oriental, Lorna Bautista-Bandigan of Davao Occidental, Ruwel Gonzaga of Compostella Valley, Jose Tejada of Cotabato, Manuel Zubiri of Bukidnon and Bai Rihan Sakaluran of Sultan Kudarat also ran unopposed.

In Pampanga’s third district the opponent of Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. reportedly withdrew from the race weeks before the elections.

Also unopposed is President Duterte’s son Paolo, who ran for the seat vacated by Karlo Nograles, who was appointed Cabinet secretary last  November.

4 N. Vizcaya mayors unopposed

In Nueva Vizcaya, Eufemia Dacayo of Solano town, Dolores Binwag of Quezon, Arnold Dinungon of Ambaguio and Ruben Bascocillo of Dupax del Sur also have no opponents.

Kasibu Mayor Philip Dacayo, who is running for vice mayor, is also running unopposed.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said unopposed candidates need only one vote to be proclaimed winner.

Comelec records show that 548 candidates for governor, vice governor, mayor, vice mayor and representative have no opponents. – Victor Martin