Is the “Danding magic” in Negros Occ waning?

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  â€” After years of being deemed the “political kingmaker” in Negros Occidental, the results of the 2013 midterm elections showed the seemingly waning influence of Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) founder, businessman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, in local politics.

Many of Danding’s candidates were defeated by those from other parties and even independents. His gubernatorial bet, Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez of the NPC was defeated by incumbent Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. of the United Negros Alliance (UNEGA).

Marañon and Alvarez were long-time allies at the NPC and were running-mates in 2010, until Marañon defied Danding by seeking reelection, against Alvarez, who was endorsed by the NPC patriarch.

Marañon was proclaimed winner for governor. Provincial elections supervisor Wil Arceño said the votes from the Hinobaan town and Victorias City, could not overturn the lead of Marañon over Alvarez, thus the proclamation.

The winner in the vice gubernatorial race, however was former San Carlos City Mayor Eugenio Jose Lacson of the NPC against Maranon’s running mate, 5th District PB Member Melvin Ibañez.

In the congressional race in six legislative districts, two UNEGA bets, two NPCs and two from Liberal Party were the winners: UNEGA’s Mayor Rafael Cueva of Sagay City got the 2nd district seat over NPC’s Otil Galilea, while 4th district Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer was reelected against Ike Barredo who had the support of Danding.

NPC’s Rep. Jules Ledesma however retained his 1st district seat against UNEGA’s Nene de la Cruz, and re-electionist Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (6th dist) won over Philip Arles, while LP’s Reps. Albee Benitez (3rd dist) and Alejandro Mirasol (5th dist) were re-elected against Kako Lacson of Lakas and Dino Yulo of NP, respectively.

All these winners for the congressional districts have been proclaimed by the Board of Canvassers yesterday.

Another NPC bet, Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, also won against re-electionist Rep. Anthony Rolando Golez for the lone legislative district of Bacolod City. Leonardia was already proclaimed winner by the city’s BoC on May 14, along with mayor-elect Monico Puentevella, who defeated NPC’s Thaddy Sayson, and vice-mayor-elect Greg Gasataya (NPC) who edged out independent Vladi Gonzalez.

In the 1st district, considered a bailiwick of Danding, one of five mayoral bets of Marañon won: Roland Jaojoco of Toboso. In the 6th district, another Danding’s stronghold, two of six mayoral bets of UNEGA won: Cicero Borromeo of Candoni and Ernesto Estrao of Hinobaan.

Of Negros Occidental’s 31 towns and cities outside Bacolod, seven mayoralty bets, all of them of the NPC, and six vice mayoralty bets—only one NPC, two of UNEGA, two of LP and one of UNA—were sure winners for running unopposed.

For the mayoralty were: Ramon Torres of Bago City, Enrique Montilla III of Isabela, John Rey Tabujara of Cauayan, David Albert Lacson of EB Magalona, Isidro Perez Zayco of Kabankalan City, Gerardo Valmayor Jr. of San Carlos City and Miguel Peña of Pulupandan.

Unchallenged for vice mayor were: NPC’s Delia Anacan (NPC) of Kabankalan City, UNEGA’s Kent Javelosa of Sagay City and Luis Jalandoni III of La Carlota City, LP’s Edgar Pagayonan of Manapla and Nilo Jesus Antonio Lizares III of Talisay City, and UNA’s Antonio Suatengco of Pulupandan.  (FREEMAN)