Santiago City’s ‘Goliath’ bows to female opponent

SANTIAGO City — The so-called "political Goliath" of this Isabela city has conceded defeat to his woman opponent, giving assurance that he would peacefully turn over the reins of the city to his successor.

Mayor Jose "Pempe" Miranda, tasting his first defeat after dominating local politics since 1988, said he respects the verdict of the people who have trusted his leadership in the past 16 years.

The final canvassing by the city board of canvassers showed Miranda (PDP-Laban) garnering 20,001 votes against the 25,990 votes of former mayor Amelita "Amy" Navarro (LDP-KNP).

"Our people have spoken, they elected my opponent and I respect their verdict," said Miranda, an arch-critic of the Dys and a stalwart of the Isabela United Opposition which fielded a complete slate from mayor to governor against Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) candidates, led by Gov. Faustino Dy Jr.

Miranda gave assurance that he would turn over peacefully the reins of the city government to Navarro by June 30.

"It is my duty to ensure a peaceful and hassle-free turnover to my successor on June 30," he said, calling on his supporters to accept their "temporary defeat" in the just-concluded elections.

Miranda, a true-blue opposition against the Dys, said he expects Navarro, a Dy ally, to continue his infrastructure and livelihood programs.

For her part, Navarro, who was proclaimed Friday night, said she would review and restudy Miranda’s programs to determine those that should be sustained and those that have to be discontinued.

Miranda defeated political heavyweights in previous city elections, including Navarro’s husband, Jose.

Miranda trounced topnotch lawyer Abraham Sable in 1988, senior provincial board member Jose Navarro in 1992, and fourth district Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao in 1995.

In 1998, Miranda fielded his son, Joel, against NPC stalwart Rep. Antonio Abaya who lost by more than 600 votes to the political neophyte.

Miranda and Navarro, then a vice mayor, faced off in the 2001 mayoralty fight. Backed by more or less 4,000 Iglesia ni Cristo votes, Miranda won over Navarro by more than 6,000 votes.

Despite her defeat in the 2001 polls, Navarro fought back in the May 10 balloting, this time enjoying the support of the Iglesia ni Cristo, and trounced Miranda by nearly 6,000 votes.

Meanwhile, city councilor Armando Tan (Lakas-CMD-independent) won by a landslide in the vice mayoralty race against his opponent, incumbent Vice Mayor Chito Manubay, and fellow councilor Alfredo Dirige, the running mates of Navarro and Miranda, respectively.

For the city council, four of the 10 re-electionist councilors retained their seats, namely Abigail Sable, Paul de Jesus, Romy de la Cruz and Arlene Reyes.

The six newcomers are Alvin Abaya, son of the late Rep. Antonio Abaya; engineer Vic Miranda, Sangguniang Kabataan leader Olan Chan, lawyer Marcelino Cabucana Jr., brother of former city councilor Edmar Cabucana; Augusto Sarangaya, son of former mayor Gaudencio Sarangaya; and Paul Silverio, Miranda’s former information officer. — Lito Salatan, Charlie Lagasca