Laguna gov assured of another term

STA. CRUZ, Laguna — Gov. Teresita "Ningning" Lazaro (Lakas-Christian-Muslim Democrats) is assured of another term as she overtook her arch-rival, actor Dan Fernandez, by a small margin in yesterday’s tally.

Based on the canvassing by the provincial board of canvassers, Lazaro garnered a margin of more than 13,000 against Fernandez. The third candidate is Rep. Rodolfo "Boyie" San Luis.

The election returns in trouble-ridden Biñan town were expected to be tabulated by the provincial board of canvassers late yesterday afternoon.

In the early canvassing, Fernandez was leading Lazaro by more than 1,000 votes. But his downfall came when votes from the fourth district were tabulated, giving Lazaro the lead in the gubernatorial count.

Contrary to her expectation, Lazaro garnered ample votes in the first and second districts.

Lazaro and her running mate, Edwin Olivarez, are expected to be immediately proclaimed after the last election returns from Biñan town were tallied late yesterday afternoon.

Olivarez won by a landslide over his two vice gubernatorial rivals, Emil Tiongco and Ruben de Roma.

The canvassing of 498 election returns from Biñan was delayed after the chairman of municipal board of canvassers, Telesforo Descallar, was reportedly hospitalized after suffering chest pain in the early canvassing on May 11.

The canvassing resumed only last Friday when Descallar was replaced.

The other night, there was a failed attempt to burn the town hall of Biñan where a son-in-law of Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos was locked in a tight fight for the mayorship. — Rene Alviar