Gatchalian prevails in Valenzuela

Former Rep. Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian (NPC, 1st district) is the new mayor of the city of Valenzuela taking over from and exchanging places with former mayor and now District 1 congressman-elect Jose Emmanuel "Bobbit" Carlos.

Gatchalian, 29, a Finance and Economics graduate of Boston University and son of plastics king William Gatchalian, was proclaimed by city board of canvassers chairman Lawyer Sheila Roxas at around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Younger brother Rexlon, a political neophyte who ran against incumbent mayor Jose Emmanuel "Bobbit" Carlos in a bid to represent the city’s first district, failed to make it.

"Patuloy po akong maglilingkod sa inyong lahat sa abot ng aking makakaya, kasama ng aking pamilya, ang aking buong partido (NPC) at lahat ng sumusuporta sa akin tungo sa bago at higit na masaganang Valenzuela," Gatchalian said.

The new mayor said he will be implementing starting on day one what he called the WIN Formula. This meant the continuation, expansion and strengthening of all his existing programs using the many unused or untapped resources of the local government. Mayor Gatchalian said he will ensure the delivery of social services and particularly an expanded scholarship program to indigent but deserving students.

He said he will continue to address the lack of infrastructure in the city especially schoolbuildings, and improve access to and from the city through better roads.

He also promised to be aggressive in fasttracking the Camanava flood control project which construction has dragged on for almost a decade.

The mayor’s formula also includes the program for moral recovery of the city constituents especially the youth.

Gatchalian’s proclamation was made over protests by lawyers of former Valenzuela Rep. Magtanggol "Magi" Gunigundo I (LDP, District 2), who was hanging by Gatchalian’s coattails, official Comelec figures showed.

Gunigundo and his lawyers later walked out of the Valenzuela City Convention Center to dramatize their protest. The board later ruled that the remaining disputed and uncanvassed votes were not sufficient to overhaul Gatchalian’s lead, which then ran at some 5,000 votes over his former colleague in the House of Representatives.

Final official Comelec results, however, showed Gatchalian leading by some 7,000 votes (68,650 to 61,247). The former mayor’s wife Margarita "Rita" Carlos (Lakas-CMD) took the third and last spot at 50,313.

Incumbent Vice Mayor Antonio Espiritu, who garnered a total of 95,706 votes, retained his post.

In the first district, the winning councilors were Marcelino Moreno with 46,300 votes, Ignacio Santiago Jr., 36, 724, Gerard Alejandro Esplana, 29,728, Elizabeth Tioglo, 28,800, Richie Cuadra, 27,567, and Catherine Pineda, 27,062 votes.

In the second district, the winners were Kate Galang with 54,711 votes, Erick Martinez, 52,362, Lorena Natividad, 49,029, Rosalie Esteban 40,906, Lani Soledad, 37,125, and Ferdinand Padrinao garnered a total of 29,558 votes.