29 of 48 Pangasinan mayors re-elected

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan , Philippines   â€“ Twenty-nine Pangasinan mayors were re-elected, while 19 others won as neophytes, would assume their old posts or previously served in other elective positions.

Re-elected from their posts were Mayors Jose Pajeta Jr. (Agno), Alberto Guiang (Burgos), Noel Nacar (Dasol), Aldrin Cerdan (Anda), and Carlitos Reyes (Mabini), all from the first district; and Eduardo Ballesteros (Aguilar), Ricardo Camacho (Labrador), Manolito de Leon (Basista), Teodoro Cruz (Mangatarem), Ernesto Balolong Jr. (Urbiztondo) in the second district.

In the third district, all incumbent mayors won another term of office, namely Mayors Ricardo Camacho (Bayambang) who was unopposed, Maximo Calimlim Jr. (Mapandan), Mark Roy Macanlalay (Calasiao), Julier Resuello (San Carlos City), Armand Domantay (Malasiqui) and Carlito Zaplan (Sta. Barbara).

In the fourth district, only Mayor Robert de Vera of San Jacinto who ran unopposed will have another term.

Mayors Mina Joy Pangasinan (Sison), Ramon Guico III (Binalonan), Amadeo Gregory Perez IV (Urdaneta City) and Silverio Alarcio (Laoac) who were both unopposed, Libradita Abrenica (Villasis), and Artemio Chan (Pozorrubio), all from the fifth district, were re-elected.

In the sixth district, Mayors Heidee Chua (Asingan), Philip Peralta (Balungao), Rodrigo Rafael (Natividad), Teodoro Ramos (Sta. Maria), Alain Jericho Perez (San Manuel), and Eldred Tumbocon (Umingan) who was unopposed, are returning with a fresh mandate.

Former first district congressman Arthur Celeste was elected new mayor of Alaminos City, while councilor Gwen Palafox-Yamamoto is the new mayor of Bani. Also elected mayor were Percival Mallare in Infanta town, Arnold Celestein in Bolinao, and Roberto Arcinue in Sual.

Former mayor Josefina Castañeda will return as mayor of the capital town of Lingayen, and former mayor Simplicio Rosario makes a comeback in Binmaley. Jumel Anthony Espino, son of re-elected Gov. Amado Espino Jr., is the new mayor of Bugallon.

The premier city of Dagupan will be taken over by Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez as the new mayor. Also having new mayors are the towns of Manaoag (Vice Mayor Kim Michael Amador), San Fabian (councilor Constante Agbayani) and Mangaldan (Bona Fe de Vera). 

Vice Mayor Ryan Paolo Mencias won in Alcala; board member Amadeo Espino, the governor’s brother, in Bautista; and Vice Mayor Timoteo “Dick” Villar III in Sto. Tomas. Villar’s entire team was unopposed.

Vicky Saldivar is the new mayor of San Nicolas, while former mayor Clark Tiu is making a comeback in San Quintin. Councilor Susan Casareno will assume the mayoral post in Rosales, while former board member Tyrone Agabas, husband of unopposed sixth district Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas, won the mayoral race in Tayug.

Of the more than 48 mayors in Pangasinan, 31 belong to the Nationalist People’s Coalition, and the rest to other political parties. Two won as independent candidates – Agabas and Mallare of Tayug and Infanta towns, respectively.