BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines – Ifugao, home of the famous Rice Terraces, has a new governor in lawyer Denis Habawel.
In a report, Ifugao’s Philippine Information Agency said Habawel defeated fellow lawyer, Gov. Eugene Balitang (Liberal Party), spoiling the latter’s bid for a second term.
The Ifugao board of canvassers proclaimed Habawel and re-elected Vice Gov. Jose Mayam-o, along with the winning provincial board members, a day after the elections.
Balitang’s partymate, Rep. Teddy Baguilat, however, survived the balloting with a small margin against former congressman Solomon Chungalao.
Baguilat obtained 43,751 votes against Chungalao’s 41,664 in their race for the province’s lone congressional district seat.