Junjun-Agnes tandem wins

CEBU, Philippines - The canvassing in Cebu ended yesterday with Liberal Party’s Hilario “Jun-Jun” Davide III and his runningmate, acting governor Agnes Magpale, were declared winners for governor and vice governor respectively.

During their proclamation, Davide and Magpale were joined by their respective families, relatives and friends led by former chief justice Hilario Davide Jr.

Their proclamation followed the Provincial Board of Canvassers’ declaration at 2:15 p.m. that all election results from 51 cities and municipalities were transmitted.

In the final tally of the PBOC, Davide garnered 654,054 votes while his closest rival, third district Representative Pablo John Garcia, got 490,148 votes.  

Pablo John will be replaced by his sister, suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who won the congressional race in the third district.

Also yesterday, uncontested Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas, grandson of Rep. Eduardo Gullas, was proclaimed as new congressman in the first district. 

Gullas’ priorities

Gullas said his five priorities in his district are education, water supply, electrification, youth development and infrastructure.

He said as a neophyte, he will use the expertise of his grandfather for the realization of his projects.

Samsam said he is willing to work with newly elected Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. delos Reyes for the good of the Talisaynons and the entire district.

Also proclaimed with Gullas were acting vice governor Julian Daan, who was re-elected Provincial Board member in the first district.

Some winning LP candidates were also proclaimed. They are re-elected Board Member Jude Thaddeus Sybico and board member-elect Miguel Antonio Magpale of the fifth district, and board member-elect Raul Alcoseba of the first district.

PB Member Wilfredo Caminero was proclaimed as new congressman of the second district, defeating the Garcia patriarch, Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia of One Cebu Party.

Others who were proclaimed were re-elected PB member Peter John Calderon and board member-elect Christopher Baricuatro of the second district.

Baricuatro, the vice mayor of Dumanjug, will replace Caminero at the PB.

Moving on

Davide said that once he assumes office, he would call for a provincial summit to ask stakeholders for their recommendation for a plan on the basis of his platform of government.

“Humana mang election, let’s move on. Padayun ta for the good of Cebu and for the good of the Cebuanos,” Davide told reporters.

Magpale’s opponent, Glenn Anthony Soco, conceded to the “results of the provincial canvassing, (and that) it is now time to move forward.”

Magpale got 548,455 votes while Soco garnered only 381,120 votes.

Being neophyte in politics, Soco said he wanted to send a good message, stressing that he did his best and fought a good fight.

“I will certainly continue to uphold the ideals and the advocacies I stand for which earned me their trust and I will continue to serve the public in my own means,” said Soco.

Meanwhile, LP lawyer Democrito Barcenas claimed several factors which led to the victory of the party’s candidates.

On top is the “universal desire of the Cebuanos” to get rid of the Garcia dynasty after 18 years in power, he said

He added that the endorsements of President Benigno Aquino III and former chief justice Davide greatly contributed to the victory of Jun-Jun.

Early proclamations

Around 9:50 a.m. the PBOC headed by Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor Eddie Aba proclaimed re-electionist fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon.

Salimbangon garnered 109,881 votes while his opponent, former Bogo City mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, got only 62, 157 votes.

Salimbangon said he was thankful to the people who believed in him, promising to double his efforts.

He said he is planning to finish a port project and make the district an economic zone.

Aside from Salimbangon, the PBOC also proclaimed re-electionist Board Members Shun Shimura and Joven Mondigo Jr. in fourth district.

Shimura and Mondigo, who are under One Cebu Party, expressed support for the incoming administration for the good of their district and the entire province.

In the 5th district, congressional post winner Joseph Felix “Ace” Durano missed his proclamation as he was in Manila.

He was represented by lawyer Edmund Lao. -/LPM (FREEMAN)