Husband, wife clinch Basilan capital top posts

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – If a son is now the superior of his father in Sulu’s provincial leadership, a wife-and-husband tandem is set to rule in Lamitan City, Basilan.

Rose Furigay, wife of Lamitan outgoing mayor Roderick, was elected mayor of the city, with the husband also winning as vice-mayor.

“The chief executive of Lamitan City starting June 30 is Mrs. Furigay, while the one who will lead the city council as its presiding chairman is Mr. Furigay. This is something that has never been seen in the more than 20-year history of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” said ARMM governor-elect, Mujiv Hataman.

The city board of canvassers proclaimed the Furigays Thursday night.

Lamitan City is the provincial capital of Basilan, a component province of the autonomous region.

Mrs. Furigay defeated two aspirants for the mayoral post, her nephew, Hegem Furigay, and  vice-mayor, Arleigh Eisma.

Mr. Furigay trounced lone rival, Donel Ramos, a political neophyte, in the vice mayoral race.