THE sons also rise. Congressman Aris Aumentado and senior provincial Board Member Dionisio Victor Balite have been proclaimed as duly elected governor and vice-governor, respectively, by the Board of Election Canvassers of the Commission on Elections here chaired by acting provincial election supervisor Atty. Eddie Aba, a day after the elections (May 10, 2022).
The duo will serve a three-year term each starting July first, 2022 following their oath-taking on June 30, 2022, or any day prior to the said date (July 1, 2022).
Congressman Aris C. Aumentado significantly defeated incumbent Governor Arthur C. Yap in landslide victory in the gubernatorial race on May 9, 2022 (Monday), bringing the son of a former Governor Erico Boyles Aumentado back to Capitol to lead the province.
Aumentado got 469,736 votes (61.76%) against Yap, who settled for 283,903 (37.42%), lower than what he got in 2019, in official Comelec count.
Aris, not only he’s following his father’s footsteps as governor, but also routed the sitting governor. His father trounced then governor Rene Relampagos in 2001 elections.
Aris filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for governor challenging Yap after his third/last 3-year-term a congressman will end on June 30, 2022.
Luck may be in his favor as Aumentado’s runningmate Dionisio Victor Balite (361,722 or 52.75%) trounced incumbent vice-Gov. Relampagos (323,998 votes or 47.24%). Balite looks like he’s following the footsteps of his father, then Vice-Gov. Dionisio Balite, who beat then Vice-Governor, the late Concepcion Lim in the 2016 polls.
Both Aumentado and Balite are the youngest of the siblings.
Official votes count, incumbent Congressman Edgar Chatto has been reelected mandate 160,647 (70.94%), very far ahead of his rivals, Fabio Ontong, 36,543; and Binggay dela Serna, 29,079 votes.
In second district, neophyte Vanvan Aumentado is to succeed his husband Aris with a whopping 138,266 (56.8%) against her rival Jaja Jumamoy, 92,728 (38.15%); and Gerardo “Gerry” Garcia, 10,642 votes.
Incumbent Congresswoman Alexie B. Tutor has been given fresh mandate for a second term with a resounding 167,359 votes, or 65.06%, against her archrival last termer Valencia Mayor Katrina KatKat Lim, 88,686, (34.15%) while the third wanna-be Cadorniga got 1,326 votes cast.
For provincial Board member in 1st district, returnee Atty. Benjie Arcamo (NUP) with108,652 (18.90) topped the votes count; followed by reelectionist BM Lucille Lagunay (NPC), 102,545 (17.83%; and Aldner Damalerio, 98,667 (17.16%).
In second district, comebacking Atty. Tomas Abapo, Jr. got 92,173 that made him number one. He’s followed by novice Atty. Jai Aumentado Villamor, 83,074 (15.07%) and reelectionist Mimi Boniel-Maglasang, 82,144 (14.90%).
For Board Member in 3rd district, last-termer G-Hernandez Mayor Tita Baja (NP) tops them all with 128,029 votes (17.52%), followed by Greg Jala (NP), 103,607 (14.17%); Natan Binlod (PDPLaban), 86,314 (11.81%); and Dr. Elpidio Bonita (PDP-Laban), 85,515 (11.70).
Yap issued a statement before Aris was proclaimed, saying, “We have fought the good fight and the people have spoken. I wish to congratulate Congressman Erico Aristotle Aumentado for winning the Gubernatorial Race in Bohol. I wish to thank our people for the honor and privilege to have served the Province as Governor and Three Term Congressman of the Third District. To all who supported me in my political journey, I will forever be grateful to all of you even as I now announce the closure of my involvement in local politics. Now, let us put aside differences and unite for the future of Bohol!”
Relampagos also conceded his defeat to Balite.
“Nahuman na ang eleksyon. Dili man pabor nato ang resulta sa piniliay, atuang girespeto ang tingog sa katawhan. Atuang pagtimbaya kang senior Board Member Dionisio Victor Balite.”
He expressed his gratitude to God for his courage, bravery and enlightenment and his family, friends, and supporters for their trust in him. (rvo)
