33 Ilocos candidates running unopposed

MANILA, Philippines — Thirty-three candidates in Ilocos region are running unopposed in next year’s elections.

Ilocos assistant regional election director Reddy Balarbar said five candidates for mayor in Ilocos Norte have no opponents.

They are Mary Chrislyn Abadilla of Banna, Crescente Garcia (Burgos), Francisco Espiritu Jr. (Dumalneg), Antonio Mariano (Marcos) and Aldrin Garvida (Nueva Era). Except for Espiritu, who is an incumbent vice mayor, the rest are incumbent mayors.

Four vice mayors seeking reelection – Denton Lawrence Garvida of Bangui, Erdio Valenzuela (Dingras), Francis Espiritu (Dumalneg) and Caroline Garvida (Nueva Era) and Mayor Carlito Abadilla II of  Banna, who is running for vice mayor –  have no opponents.

In Ilocos Sur, 14 candidates for vice mayor have no challengers. They are Mar Ruel Sumabat of Alilem town, Samuel Parilla II (Bantay), Rolita Amalbalan (Burgos), Kristelle Singson (Candon City), Armando Gaburno (Cervantes), Randolf John Cabrera (Nagbukel), Rodolfo Aciong (Quirino), Leonofre Gironella (Salcedo), Robert Riego (San Ildefonso), Ma. Elaine Sarmiento (San Juan), Jeremy Jesus Bueno III (Santa), Michael Florendo (Sta. Maria), Rene Crisanto Lubrin (Sugpon) and Samuel Subagan Jr. (Suyo).

Except for Parilla, Cabrera, Gironella and Sarmiento, the rest are incumbent vice mayors.

In La Union, Vice Gov. Mario Eduardo Ortega, who is seeking another term, is the only candidate for the position.

Mayors Francisco Angelito Fontanilla of Bacnotan, Philip Caesar Crispino (Caba), Priscila Martin (Pugo), all reelectionists, have no opponents.

For vice mayor, Divina Fontanilla of Bacnotan, Virgelio Dabalos (Bangar), Ronnie Mangaser (Caba) and Monico Oriente Jr. (Santol), all reelectionists, are running unopposed.

Uncontested Pangasinan bet

Balarbar said a report submitted by election supervisor Marino Salas showed that only Mangatarem Mayor Ramil Ventenilla, who is seeking reelection, is running unopposed in Pangasinan.

Pangasinan has 44 towns and four cities.

Salas said 61 candidates for governor, vice governor, board members and congressional posts in Pangasinan filed their certificate of candidacy (COC).

Unlike in previous elections, he said all aspirants for congressional seats in the province have challengers.

Balarbar said candidates with no opponents need only one vote to win.

However, he said candidates without challengers could be proclaimed only after the canvassing of votes of all candidates.

In Tarlac, Gov. Susan Yap, who filed her COC on Friday to seek reelection, is reportedly the only candidate for the post.

Isabela Vice Gov. Faustino Dy III and Mayor Juan Capuchino of Nagulian have no contenders.

Mayor Romeo Tayaban and Vice Mayor Alberto Bumolo Jr. Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya are also running unopposed.

Tans of Sulu unchallenged

In Sulu, it will be a walk in the park for Gov. Abdusakur Tan Sr. and his son Vice Gov. Abdusakur Tan II, who are seeking reelection, as no other bets filed their COC.

Tan is running under the PDP-Laban faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

Tan’s other son, Sulu first district Rep. Samier Tan, is also running unchallenged. – Roel Pareño, Ric Sapnu, John Unson, Victor Martin