The elder Villafuerte (Lakas-CMD) topped the second district congressional fight, defeating re-electionist Rep. Suplicio Roco, brother of Aksyon Demokratiko presidential candidate former Sen. Raul Roco.
Villafuerte garnered 81,479 votes over Roco’s 72,948.
The outgoing governor won in the towns of Calabanga, Magarao, Canaman, Camaligan, Gainza, Milaor, Pili and Ocampo and lost only in Bombon town and this city.
He has served as governor for a total of 15 years and was elected twice to the Batasang Pambansa.
In 2001, he defeated award-winning actress Nora Aunor in the gubernatorial race.
The young Villafuerte, a 35-year-old businessman, was proclaimed governor-elect, garnering 236,676 votes against Rep. Felix William "Wimpy" Fuentebella’s 148,675 and former Iriga City mayor Emmanuel Alfelor’s 86,310.
In the third congressional district, former Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella (NPC) trounced Teodoro Cruz Jr. (Lakas-CMD) and Procio Pilapil (LDP).
In the first and fourth congressional districts, Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. (Aksyon Demokratiko) and Felix Alfelor (Lakas-CMD) were proclaimed winners, respectively.
Alfelor beat singer Imelda Papin (LDP-Kampi), while Andaya defeated former Libmanan mayor Teddy Dilangco (Lakas-CMD). — Celso Amo