Old political clans dominate Ilocos polls

MANILA, Philippines — Popular political clans handily won the local elections in Ilocos on Monday. 

Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Luis Singson was successful in his reelection bid as he garnered 290,140 votes. His opponent Zuriel Zaragoza got only 61,777 votes.

Singson’s uncle Vice Gov. Jeremias Singson retained his post as he beat Zuriel’s sister Anicka Zaragoza by more than 100,000 votes.

Mika Singson-Mendoza,  Singson’s niece, topped the elections for provincial board member with 108,448 votes. His father-in-law first district Rep. Deogracias Victor Savellano also won a second term.

Singson’s cousin Kristine Singson-Meehan was elected representative of the second district of Ilocos Sur. 

Vigan Mayor Juan Carlo Singson-Medina, Singson’s nephew, ran unopposed. His cousin Candon Mayor Ericson Singson retained his post.

Ortegas

In La Union, first district Rep. Pablo Ortega was unopposed in his reelection bid.

Ortega’s son Paolo won as provincial board member while his wife Monette and daughter Luzan Valero won as councilor. 

Pablo’s nephew, Gov. Francisco Emanuel Ortega III won another term while his uncle Mario was reelected as vice governor. 

The governor’s wife, Vini, is the first nominee of the Abono party-list while his younger brother Mannix won as vice mayor of San Juan town.

Marcoses, Fariñas kids

Ilocos Norte board member Matthew Marcos Manotoc, a son of former governor and senatorial aspirant Imee Marcos, was proclaimed governor on Tuesday.

Manotoc ran unopposed after his opponent, first district Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas, withdrew days before the elections.

Cecilia Araneta-Marcos won as vice governor while Vice Gov. Eugenio Angelo Barba was elected representative of the second district.

Fariñas’ daughter Ria won as representative of the first district. His son Rodolfo won as board member.

Ate Vi, Climaco, Lobregat

Vilma Santos-Recto was reelected as representative of the lone district of Lipa City in Batangas.

Recto got 96,749 votes while his opponent Lipa Mayor Meynard Sabili got only 61,821 votes.  

In Zamboanga City, Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar defeated Rep. Celso Lobregat in the mayoral elections.

 Salazar was proclaimed yesterday as tally of the votes cast showed her leading over Lobregat by more than 30,000 votes.