ORMOC CITY, Philippines — Leyte has 18 non-incumbent mayors, five of whom are political neophytes and the rest are either former vice mayors or councilors, who won in the recent elections. The remaining 26, of the province's 40 towns and three cities, were all reelectionist mayors.
For the mayoralty seat in this city, Edward Codilla, a political neophyte, defeated actor Richard Gomez of the Liberal Party by 2,300 votes, reportedly the slimmest margin in the city's election history.
The other neophyte mayors are Junie dela Cerna of Albuera town; Boy Ong of Carigara; Deo Delusa of Dagami; Albert “Bentong†Villahermosa of Hilongos; Greg Cerillo of Isabel; Tingting Salvacion of Leyte town; Daisy Lleve of Mahaplag; Agustin Pedrano Jr. of Matag-ob; Alex de Paz of Mayorga; Jesus Antonio Martinez of Merida; Susan Ang of San Isidro; Chekay Esperas of San Miguel; Oscar Monteza of Santa Fe; Brendo Gamez of Tabon-tabon; Pel Tecson of Tanauan; Catalina Agda of Tunga; and Jorge Veloso of Villaba. (FREEMAN)