Singson back as Ilocos Sur gov

VIGAN CITY — Luis "Chavit" Singson has regained the Ilocos Sur governorship which he left in 2001, defeating former board member Efren Rafanan who conceded defeat yesterday.

Singson (Lakas-CMD-Bileg) won in 25 towns, the partial and unofficial vote count by the local Lakas headquarters showed.

Rafanan (KNP) went on air over radio station dzXE and said he was conceding defeat to Singson.

Re-electionist Reps. Salacnib Baterina (Lakas-CMD, first district) and Eric Singson (LP, second district) also emerged victorious in Monday’s polls.

In yesterday’s partial and official count by the provincial board of canvassers involving 28 of Ilocos Sur’s 34 towns, Singson garnered 106,084 votes versus Rafanan’s 77,267.

In 2001, Singson was succeeded by his ally, former vice governor Deogracias Savellano. This time, Savellano, as Singson’s running mate, was winning, too, in the vice gubernatorial race over his rival, Benjamin Baterina (KNP).

He gained prominence when he exposed alleged corruption of his erstwhile ally former President Joseph Estrada, leading to the latter’s impeachment and ouster from Malacañang.