Mitra loses Palawan gov re-election bid

MANILA, Philippines - Former congressman and incumbent Palawan Gov. Abraham “Baham” Mitra has lost the gubernatorial post to billionaire businessman, logger and car-bus dealer Jose “Pepito” Alvarez.

Mitra, who beat Alvarez in 2010, thanked his supporters yesterday.

“I am very grateful to friends, allies and supporters who believed in our good governance program. In my heart, I know I have served our people and have served them well. I’m so sorry we did not make it,” he said.

“So far, I have no more intentions for a comeback. Elections have changed, as vote buying and technological manipulation have taken the place of face-to-face conventional campaigning,” he said.

Alvarez is a brother of outgoing first district Rep. Antonio Alvarez, whose son Chicoy is replacing him.

In Puerto Princesa City, Ellen Hagedorn, wife of incumbent mayor and losing independent senatorial candidate Edward Hagedorn, lost the mayoral race to Lucilo Baylon.

In Mindoro Occidental, Rep. Amelita Villarosa, a staunch ally of former president and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is losing the gubernatorial race to Mario Mendiola of the Liberal Party (LP).

Rep. Eleandro Madrona won re-election in Romblon, while in Marinduque, the Commission on Elections website showed that Gina Reyes (LP) was leading incumbent Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco, son of Supreme Court Justice Presbitero Velasco.

In Albay, Edcel Lagman Jr. was elected representative of the first district. His father, outgoing Rep. Edcel Lagman, said his son would continue his reproductive health advocacy and human rights and pro-people agenda.