Bohol United opposition denies admin sweep

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines —  Candidates of the Bohol United Opposition (BUO) shattered the myth that this province is an administration bailiwick by winning key posts in the provincial government.

Leading the pack of BUO winning bets was Provincial Board Member Dionisio Balite who earned 265,274 votes to edge Liberal Party’s re-electionist Conception Lim (246,844) for the vice gubernational seat.

Balite’s proclamation, set yesterday afternoon, was however postponed Jerome Brillantes, chair of the Provincial Board of Canvassers, due to “destroyed SD card” in the towns of Sierra-Bullones and Lila and transmission problem from other towns.

Reelectionist Governor Edgar Chatto however survived the opposition’s attack to win for another term, although his victory now was not as impressive as before in terms of number of votes.

Chatto got 317,460 votes against BUO bet Loay town Mayor May Imboy’s 214,452.

The administration bets also had their field day in the congressional race. In the st district, LP’s re-electionist Representative Rene Relampagos posted a convincing win with 142,303 votes against Joahna Cabalit (27,508).

Re-electionist Rep. Aris Aumentado (2nd district) got 134,537 votes to trounce his opponent PB Member  Gerry Garcia who had 49,909 votes.

Re-electionist Rep. Arthur Yap (3rd district) clinched his third term with 111,890 votes against BUO’s matriarch Conchita Che Toribio delos Reyes who only got 84,450 votes.

For the PB seats, the LPs took the 1st district’s three slots with victories from re-electionists Benjie Arcamo who had 111,435 votes, and Abeleon Damalerio (104,259); and neophyte Ricky Masamayor (86,993).

However in the PB’s 2nd district, the BUO got two of three seats with re-electionist Tomas Abapo Jr  (86,000 votes), and Bien-Unido town Mayor Nino Boniel (67,064), over LP’s Agapito Avenido who had 52,902 votes.

In the PB 3rd district, Balite’s youngest son Victor was the only BUO survivor by placing second with 93,195 votes, after topnotcher, LP’s neophyte Alexie Tutor (105,353), wife of r Candijay town Mayor Christopher Tutor.

The other LP bets taking the district’s PB seats are neophyte Jade Acapulco Bautista (89,056), and re-electionist Elpidio Jala (76,163). —(FREEMAN)