Pacificador a poor third in Antique governor race

ILOILO CITY — While convicted child rapist Romeo Jalosjos is ecstatic in jail these days over his winning a third term as Zamboanga del Norte congressman, former assemblyman Arturo Pacificador is sulking in the Antique provincial jail.

Pacificador ran for Antique governor in the May 14 elections, but lost, even placing a poor third in the race topped by Sally Zaldivar-Perez. The other contender was Vice Gov. Damian Marfil.

Pacificador is being tried as one of the accused in the 1986 assassination of former Antique governor Evelio Javier.

Perez, who ran as a People Power Coalition-Lakas-NUCD candidate, believes she can help her province get out of its economic plight. Antique is one of the country’s 20 poorest provinces.

Perez’s father, Justice Calixto Zaldivar, and brother Enrique were former governors of Antique.

"My main program is to give emphasis to education, health and food security. With my contacts, I can help Antique become a progressive province," she said.

The PPC-Lakas dominated the Antique elections. Exequiel Javier, brother of Evelio, was elected congressman.

Of the eight provincial board seats, five went to PPC-Lakas, while 13 of the party’s 18 mayoral candidates won.

Pacificador said he has no regrets losing the gubernatorial election. "Lack of campaign, mobility and funds resulted in my loss in this election," he said.