In pinamungajan, Talisay and Daanbantayan, giants lose to newbies

CEBU, Philippines - Last Monday’s elections has changed the political landscape of Cebu in as much as many mayors who ruled over their turfs for several years did not make it, and others finally made a win after several attempts.

A number of re-electionist mayors failed to clinch another term such as Daanbantayan Mayor Ma. Luisa Loot who was caught by surprise with her unexpected loss to mayor-elect Augusto Corro of the Liberal Party (LP).  Loot and Corro had faced each other in several elections.

Last Monday’s polls also saw the re-entry of former senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña, who won as Toledo City mayor.

One Cebu’s stalwart in Pinamungajan, however, managed to wrestle the town from the decades-long grip of the Yaphas as Glenn Baricuatro won over former Provincial Board member Estrella Yapha. While Estrella was not as lucky, her husband, former third district congressman Antonio Yapha, won for vice mayor in   Toledo. This was Baricuatro’s third time to run in the town against the Yaphas.

The daughter of Estrella and Antonio, outgoing Pinamungajan Mayor Geraldine Yapha, is still fighting it out with suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia for the third district congressional race. Gwen was leading in the canvassing as of last night but official results are not yet out. Two towns, Balamban and Tuburan are currently still canvassing since a number of Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines bogged down yesterday. But Balamban election officer Mylor Kiamko said Garcia was leading at 12, 815 while Balamban had 8, 940. In Tuburan, Election officer Gilbert Pepito said they are still waiting for a number of precincts but so far Yapha was leading over Garcia.

In Talisay City, Rep. Eduardo Gullas lost the mayoral race to businessman Johnny delos Reyes who was proclaimed yesterday afternoon with the new vice mayor, Councilor Romeo Villarante. 

Delos Reyes of the Liberal Party got a total of 39, 453 votes as against his opponent veteran lawmaker, Cebu first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas with 38, 717. Delos Reyes has made two attempts at the mayoral post in Talisay in the previous elections. He described his victory as sweet because he has been running in different position since 1997. He first run as municipal and city council in 1997 and 2001, respectively, but lost. He then run for vice mayor in 2004 and 2010 for mayor but lost. In 2010, he ran for the provincial seat representing the first district, but again lost. 

Gullas’ runningmate, Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, conceded defeat to Villarante and congratulated him.

“I would like to extend my congratulations to the newly winners especially to newly-elect Vice mayor Romy. I concede my defeat and a pure Talisaynon should accept the new mandate,” Bucao said. But the administration still controls the city council seat with 7 against three from the minority bloc. Mayor Socrates Fernandez, who is on his third and last term, ranked fourth. 

At the sixth district, all incumbent mayors won: Jonas Cortes in Mandaue, Paz Radaza of Lapu-lapu and Adelino Sitoy of Cordova. Aileen Radaza was also proclaimed winner in the congressional race.

Businessman Efrain Pelaez who lost to Mayor Paz said in an interview, “I just want to thank the people who trusted and voted for me as well as the LP candidates.”

Winners in Danao City were also proclaimed, led by Ramon “Nito” Durano and his sons Ace and Red.

In Consolacion, Mayor Theresa Alegado got 27, 220 while former mayor Avelino Gungob gained 23,917. Vice Mayor Aurelio Damole was re-elected.

As for Loot, said what happened was impossible as Corro just arrived from abroad two weeks before the election to launch his campaign.

“Bisan kinsa sa ako mga tawo di katoo nga ang mga tawo wa nibotar sa ako,” Loot said. (Nobody would believe people did not vote for me.) She said that too much confidence of her victory and the deficiencies in the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines may have caused her defeat.

Loot vowed not to leave politics and will make the next three years as civilian to draw more plans for 2016 elections. She was first elected vice mayor in 1995, mayor in 1998, 2001 and 2004; vice mayor in 2007 and mayor in 2010 elections.

Corro lost to Loot’s son, Provincial Board Member Sun Shimura, in the mayoralty race when he first ran in 2007. Corro again lost in 2010 elections when he faced Loot in the mayoralty race.

Corro was proclaimed yesterday as duly elected mayor for garnering 18,101 votes against Loot who got 15,700 votes.

His runningmate, vice mayor-elect Gilbert Arrabis Jr., was also proclaimed for garnering 18,534 votes against Loot’s runningmate, incumbent Vice Mayor Renato Te who got 13,462 votes.

Corro is hoping that Loot would accept here defeat the way he accepted the same fate in the past two elections. He even offered a reconciliation to forget about politics as he assured to serve everybody without political delineation.

Loot assured of a smooth turnover of power to Corro. She said she has already instructed department heads to prepare all the documents to be turned over to the new administration.

Corro, a mechanical engineer, together with Arrabis who is a lawyer, assured of a big turnaround of their style of management for Daanbantayan.

He promised to continue the programs and projects of Loot but have to be reviewed and modified as necessary./JPM (FREEMAN)