Baby Arenas, Manay Gina get voters’ nod

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – Socialite Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas was unopposed in her first attempt to win a congressional seat in this province.

Arenas will replace her daughter Ma. Rachel Arenas, who held the third district post for only one term.

Fourth district Rep. Gina de Venecia won a second term by defeating her lone rival, Celia Lim, wife of outgoing Dagupan Mayor Benjamin Lim.

First district Rep. Jesus Celeste and former police chief Leopoldo Bataoil of the second district were also re-elected, defeating their respective rivals Leonido Pulido and Kim Lokin.

Sixth district Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas ran unopposed.

The provincial board of canvassers has proclaimed all the winning Pangasinan representatives.

Mangudadatu proclaimed governor

Meanwhile, the provincial board of canvassers proclaimed re-electionist Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu governor of Maguindanao.

Mangudadatu defeated Hadji Tucao Mastura by a landslide.

Mangudadatu’s running mate, Lester Sinsuat, mayor of Datu Odin Sinsuat town, was proclaimed vice governor. He defeated Ali Midtimbang.

Mangudadatu and Sinsuat ran under the LP while Mastura and Midtimbang ran under the United Nationalist Alliance.

Mastura is reportedly planning to file a protest.

Mangudadatu’s siblings, Khadafy and Zajid, were also proclaimed as assemblyman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and representative of the second district of Maguindanao, respectively.

Also proclaimed was Sandra Sema as Maguindanao first district representative. Sema defeated Zeny Dilangalen, wife of former Maguindanao congressman Didagen Dilangalen. – With John Unson