Neophytes beat old politicians

MANILA, Philippines — Several young aspirants have defeated old names in politics in the May 9 elections.

In Cotabato, the mayoral candidate of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party, Bruce Matabalao, was proclaimed on Tuesday.

Matabalao defeated Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi.

Councilor John Dalipe, 37, was elected mayor of Zamboanga City.

He defeated former mayor Celso Lobregat, Vice Mayor Rommel Agan, first district Rep. Cesar Jawo Jimenez Jr. and Cesar Julio Climaco, whose father and namesake was former city mayor.

Dalipe is the youngest mayor elected in the city.

His brother second district Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe and Councilor Khymer Adan Olaso, who were elected congressmen, and Councilor Josephine Pareja, who won as vice mayor, were proclaimed by the city board of canvassers on Tuesday night.

Olaso, 44, a first-termer councilor, defeated outgoing Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar in the congressional race in the first district.

In Bulacan, eight winners in the mayoral race are newcomers. They are Jowar Bautista of Angat; Lem Faustino, Calumpit; Agay Cruz, Guiguinto; Baby Manlapas, Hagonoy; Merlyn Germar, Norzagaray; Ding Valeda, Obando;  Gazo Galvez , San Ildefonso, and Cholo Violago, San Rafael.

Comeback

Meanwhile, six former mayors of Bulacan will reassume their old posts.

They are Jon-Jon Villanueva of Bocaue; Christian Natividad, Malolos; Henry Villarica, Meycauayan; Ronaldo Flores, Doña Remedios Trinidad; Jocell Vistan-Casaje, Plaridel, and Omeng Ramos, Sta.  Maria.

In Leyte, Vice Mayor Ramon Oñate of Palompon will regain his post as mayor after a landslide victory against incumbent Mayor Georgina Arevalo.

In Samar, the domination of the Sarmientos is seen to end with their defeat by the Tan-Uy clan.

First district Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento lost to Jimboy Tan, whose brother Michael was elected congressman of the second district.

Their sister, Ann Tan, beat Mayor Gemma Zosa of Sta. Margarita in the gubernatorial race.

Another member of their clan, Arnold Tan won as vice govenor. – Roel Pareño, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Miriam Desacada