Manila, Malabon get first woman mayors

MANILA, Philippines — The cities of Manila and Malabon elected their first female mayors in this year’s elections.

Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna is set to take over the mayoralty post vacated by Isko Moreno, who conceded in the 2022 presidential elections.

Lacuna garnered 510,687 votes based on unofficial count as of 2 p.m. yesterday. In an interview, Lacuna said she opted to wait for the transmittal of the remaining votes before she gets proclaimed.

Lacuna won against Alex Lopez, son of the late Manila mayor Mel Lopez Jr., who got 158,896 votes based on partial count.

Another woman candidate, Christy Lim, daughter of the late Manila mayor Alfredo Lim, only got 14,156 votes. Former Manila district representative Amado Bagatsing got 109,505 votes.

Lacuna’s running mate, actor Yul Servo, won as vice mayor.

In an interview at city hall, Lacuna said she is “honored” to be Manila’s first woman mayor and is proud to have fulfilled the wish of her father, former Manila vice mayor Danny Lacuna, who had run for Manila mayor but lost. Moreno often touts Danny Lacuna as his mentor in politics.

“I am honored I fulfilled the dream of my father to have a Lacuna as Manila mayor,” Lacuna said in Filipino.

In a tight race, former Malabon vice mayor Jeannie Sandoval finally won the top post with 94,826 or 50.33 percent of the votes, against councilor Enzo Oreta, the brother of outgoing mayor Lenlen Oreta, who got 93,547 or 49.66 percent of the votes.

Sandoval last ran for mayor in 2019 but lost to the incumbent Lenlen, who ends his third term as Malabon mayor.

However, Sandoval’s husband Ricky again lost the congressional bid to Jaye Lacson-Noel, who won a second term.

Enzo Oreta’s running mate, Ninong dela Cruz, won a second term as Malabon vice mayor.

Meanwhile, Navotas, Valenzuela and Caloocan have relatives of the outgoing mayors set to take over their posts at city hall.

Brothers John Rey and Toby Tiangco switched their incumbent positions as district representative and mayor. They were proclaimed before dawn yesterday.

Meanwhile, Valenzuela first district representative and Deputy Speaker Wes Gatchalian was proclaimed mayor before dawn yesterday. He will replace at city hall his brother Rex Gatchalian, who won the congressional post.

Along Malapitan, the son of outgoing Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan, won the mayoralty post against Edgar Erice.

The elder Malapitan took the son’s first district post.

They were proclaimed last night.