Gov’t bets sweep all posts in Iloilo City

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Candidates of Team PNoy in this city have swept all elective posts in Monday’s balloting.

Re-electionist Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and Rep. Jerry Treñas got fresh mandates after defeating their opponents, businessman Rommel Ynion and former congressman Raul Gonzalez Jr.

Incumbent Vice Mayor Joe Espinosa III also triumphed over his opponent, councilor Jeffrey Ganzon.

Re-electionist Lex Tupas topped the race for the Sangguniang Panglungsod. Other winners were Love Baronda, Jason Gonzales, Joshua Alim, Jay Treñas, Lyndon Acap, Eduardo Peñaredondo, Lee Zulueta, R. Leone Gerochi, Armand Parcon, Rodel Fullon Agado, and Plaridel Nava.

In his Facebook page, Mabilog thanked “everyone who supported us and made the choice in giving us the chance to be of service to our fellow Ilonggos and our beloved City of Iloilo.”

Jeffrey Celiz, Mabilog’s political liaison officer, said the results of the city’s elections where their entire slate won is a reaffirmation of the Ilonggo people’s indomitable will.

Despite the nasty exchange of words between his supporters and Mabilog’s camp, Ynion has conceded.

“Let me be the first to congratulate my opponent, Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, for winning in these midterm elections. The people have spoken and we should respect their collective will,” he said.

Ynion asked his supporters to refrain from pinning the blame for their defeat on their refusal to buy votes.

“Vote buying is against the principles for which we stand and we can never engage in that. Let us be graceful in defeat as well as in all the small victories we achieved in this campaign,” he added.