CONSIDERED as opposition local candidates, who were strongly endorsed by Vice-President Sara Duterte few days before election day, were no match by the winning administration bets in gubernatorial, congressional and municipal races in last Monday’s election.
But Sara’s push for Boholanos to vote for PDP-Laban and others senatorial candidates proved effective as can be shown in the Comelec vote count results.
Six of the PDP-Laban and other four Sara-endorsed senatorial bets made it to the winning 12 circle in Bohol. They are senator Bong Go, the number one with 578,862 votes; senator Bato Dela Rosa, 533,845; Jimmy Bondoc, 321,246; Rodante Marcoleta, 311,699; Camille Villar (NP), 297,897; Philip Salvador, 289,221; Raul Lambino, 258,467; lawyer Jesus “Jayvee” Villanueva Hinlo Jr, 248,755; Vic Rodriguez, 224,052; Bam Aquino, 216, 243; Erwin Tulfo, 197,053; and Pia Cayetano, 177,710.
In the gubernatorial race, her endorsement of One-Bohol-backed candidate, former city mayor Atty. Dan Neri Lim was no match to reelectionist Gov. Aris Aumentado, who got an overwhelming votes cast. Aumentado’s tandem Nick Besas trounced Lim’s vice-gubernatorial bet Gerry Garcia who also got the anointment of Sara Duterte.
A non-Sara endorsed bet newbie Baba Yap clinched the win against his arch-rival reelectionist/ veteran Rep. Edgaro Chatto in the first district congressional race. The governor’s wife, reelectionist Congw. Vanessa Aumentado trounced her contender, former NIA director Modesto Membreve in the second district race.
For her third term, incumbent Congw. Kristine Alexie B. Tutor, daughter of vice-governor-elect Besas, got a fresh mandate for her third/last term against her lone rival Atty. Makdo Castanares.
Both Membreve and Castanares were Sara’s anointed ones as supported by One Bohol, a loose organization of “parallel” groups supporting the Dutertes in Bohol.
In the Comelec count, reelectionist for her 2nd term, Lucille Lagunay got it to number one (118,275) and former hospital chief Mutya Tirol (118,124), second, in first district race for board member. Only one opposition, Atty. Benjie Arcamo (95,855) made it to the magic three.
Provincial Board Member-elect reelectionist for her second term Atty. Jamie Villamor (153,122) placed at number one. Reelectionist veteran lawmaker Atty. Tommy Abapo, Jr. (127,350) and last termer Pres. Carlos P. Garcia mayor Eping Estavila (118,707) in second district.
Reelectionist for her second term, Tita V. Baja (167,099) still is the number one board member in third district race. Following her is a newbie DJ Balite (152,854), son of the late vice-governor Dionisio Victor Balite, made it the second and reelectionists for second term BM Greg Jala (130,729) and Nathaniel Binlod (113,571).
The tandem of reelectionist Mayor Jono Jumamoy and her mom vice-mayor Roygie Jumamoy in Inabanga town was defeated by neophyte mayor-elect Dexter Ancla and his line-up.
Valencia town former mayor Katkat Lim was defeated handily by incumbent and reelectionist Dionisio Neil Balite, with all of the 35 barangays giving a fresh mandate to the latter.
The same fate befell to challenger Francisco Auguis for mayor in Pilar town and his slate were trounced by incumbent Mayor Wilson Pajo. (rvo)
