Singsons lead Ilocos Sur polls

MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Singson family will keep their hold in Ilocos Sur after winning 15 local seats in the May 9 elections.

Gov. Ryan Singson, son of Narvacan Mayor Luis ”Chavit” Singson and his younger brother Vice Gov. Jeremias Singson, who both ran unopposed, will switch positions on July 1.

Chavit’s other son, Ronald, won the congressional race in the first district against Rep. Deogracias Savellano, Ryan’s father-in-law.

In the second district, Kristine Meehan, daughter of former congressman Eric Singson, ran unopposed.

Eric, a former congressman, will succeed his son Ericson as mayor of Candon City.  His brother Alfonso was reelected to the city council while their nephew Jaime also won a council seat.

Probinsyano Ako party-list Rep. Bonito Singson defeated his niece former Vigan mayor Eva Medina in the mayoral race. Bonito’s running mate and Chavit’s son Randolf won as vice mayor.

Chavit’s sister Germelina Goulart won another term as mayor of Caoyan. Her son Paolo Ancheta was elected vice mayor.

Chavit did not run for any post. He instead endorsed former Free Legal Assistance Group chairman Pablito Sanidad as mayor of Narvacan.

Veteran pols

In Leyte, Carlos Jericho Petilla reassumed his post as governor. He replaced his brother Dominic who served for three terms.

Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona was reelected after defeating Joey Venancio with a margin of 99,098.

Madrona’s ally Otik Riano and Arming Guiterrez won as governor and vice governor against Lolong Firmalo and Dongdong Ilagan, respectively.

House Deputy Speaker Eric Martinez defeated his lone opponent Magtanggol Gunigundo.

Pangasinan fourth district Rep. Christopher de Venecia, son of former speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and former congresswoman Gina de Venecia, was reelected for another term.

Former congressman Seth Fredrick Jalosjos, son of former Zamboanga del Norte congressman Romeo Jalosjos, defeated Gov. Roberto Uy for mayor of Dapitan.

Upsets

Meanwhile, in Abra, newcomers beat the Someras in Pilar town.

Tyron Beroña, who obtained 6,210 votes, beat Mayor Maro Somera, who got only 291 votes.

Somera’s sister Vice Mayor Jaja Somera-Disono, whose bodyguards were involved in a shootout and standoff with police at a checkpoint on March 29, lost to Beroña’s runningmate Samson Laguesma.

The Somera patriach Rolando served as mayor of Pilar for three consecutive terms, board member and vice governor.

The Someras are facing various charges, including trafficking in persons, after a dozen former military men they hired as security aides surrendered following the standoff.

In Negros Occidental, fifth district Rep. Marilou Arroyo, sister-in-law of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was seeking reelection, conceded to former vice governor Dino Yulo. – Miriam Desacada, Delon Porcalla, Eva Visperas, Roel Pareño, Gilbert Bayoran