Abad’s wife re-elected as Batanes lawmaker

MANILA, Philippines - The wife of Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Rep. Henedina Abad, has won her second term as representative of the lone district of Batanes.

The provincial board of canvassers proclaimed Rep. Abad and other winners on Tuesday night. She won only by 137 votes over former congressman Carlo Oliver Diasnes. She polled 3,813 votes against her closest opponent’s 3,676.

The congressional race was so tight that the Commission on Elections website earlier showed Rep. Abad trailing Diasnes by 16 votes when the count was still at the 2,000-vote level.

In Isabela, three incumbent House members were re-elected: Ana Cristina Go, Napoleon Dy and Giorgidi Aggabao of the second, third and fourth districts, respectively.

Vice Gov. Rodito Albano will take over from his father and represent the first district. Rep. Rodolfo Albano Sr. will serve as mayor of Cabagan town. Rodito Albano’s wife Mylene Garcia won her second term as representative of Davao City’s second district.

In Nueva Vizcaya, the Padillas prevailed over their opponents. Carlos Padilla won another term as congressman, while his wife Ruth, former president of the Philippine Nurses Association, was elected governor.

In nearby Quirino, the father-son tandem of Junie and Dax Cua was re-elected governor and congressman.

In Cagayan province, two incumbent House members – Aline Alfonso of the second district and Randolf Ting of the third district – were re-elected.

In the first district, Sally Ponce Enrile will take over from her husband, outgoing congressman and losing United Nationalist Alliance senatorial candidate Juan Ponce “Jack” Enrile Jr. – Jess Diaz, Jack Castaño III, Raymund Catindig