Pacquiao's brother, sis-in-law win barangay race in GenSan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao’s winning ways continued to hold sway after his youngest brother and sister-in-law topped the barangay elections here on Monday.

Ruel Pacquiao, the incumbent chairman of Barangay Apopong, handily won a second term, trouncing archrival Delia Ravanes and another contender by more than 4,000 votes.

Ruel won by a squeaker the first time he fought Ravanes in 2007.

Lorelie Pacquiao, wife of former world boxing champion Bobby Pacquiao, made short work of her two opponents, including the incumbent village chief of Barangay Labangal, where the couple resides with Mommy Dionesia Pacquiao.

The Pacquiao matriarch personally campaigned for Lorelie to ensure victory for her daughter-in-law. This was Lorelie’s first stab at politics.

In Glan, Sarangani, a defeated candidate for chairperson of the Sangguniang Kabataan of Barangay Calabanit urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to charge a local official for grave coercion and electioneering.

Kendra Saya-ang said that on the eve of the elections, town Councilor Lito Cerna of the People’s Champ Movement went on a house-to-house campaign reminding residents that their children are still receiving scholarships from the local government.

“Your children will lose their scholarships if they vote for the opponents of the administration candidates,” Cerna was reportedly quoted by Saya-ang as saying.

“Cerna’s actions and pronouncements are tantamount to grave coercion and electioneering, and should be looked into by the Comelec for possible sanctions, including criminal charges,” said Saya-ang, who lost by a mere two votes to her rival.

Saya-ang lamented many of the SK voters took heed of Cerna’s warning, and decided to go with the administration ticket, leading to her bitter defeat.