Siquijor widow of Pernes proclaimed winner for Congress seat

CEBU, Philippines - Doctor Marie Anne Pernes, widow of LP congressional candidate Dr. Jay Samson Pernes who died of heart ailment the day before Election Day, was proclaimed winner for the lone congressional seat of Siquijor province.

The 48-year-old Marie Anne, accepted the offer of the LP to substitute her 49-year-old husband at the last minute, and filed her COC for the purpose at 9:10a.m. on May 13.

Little did she expect for a victory for her husband against the well-entrenched politician Orlando Fua Jr., and broke the chain of the political dynasty of the Fuas that have served the province for almost 27 years.

Marie Ann was proclaimed together with other LP winners, Governor-elect Zaldy Villa and Vice Governor-elect, singer-actor Fernando “Dingdong” Avanzado at the Provincial Comelec Office before Comelec official Eliseo R. Z. B. Labaria, and witnessed by National Anti-Poverty Commission lead convenor, Secretary Joel Rocamora.

After the proclamation, a victory party was held at the Queengate Center in Larena town where the wake of the late Doc Jay’s remains was held.

In an interview with The Freeman, Marie Anne said the victory was offered to Siquijodnon heroes who really believed in change. “Totoong-totoo po to. Aala na pong makakaharang, nasa kamay ho natin ang kalayaang napakatagal na nating hinahanap at inaantay.”

“Hindi na po natin ito pakakawalan. Tayong mga taga Siquijor na ang masusunod, hindi sila (ang mga Fua). Unti-unti po nating gawin, lahat ang mga plano ni Doc Jay. Unti-unti po nating gawin ito. Huwag ho tayong mainip.  Darating po tong lahat, tubig, ilaw, magandang ospital at kabuhayan,” said Marie Anne.

Joan Veronica, the only daughter and the 4th among the siblings of the Pernes family, said his father was amazing. “My dad really wanted to serve the Siquijodnon people. As a visionary man, he saw that Siquijor needs change. So, my dad never hesitates to come back here in Siquijor,” she said.

“Now I understand that my father has a lot of plans to make Siquijor better. He wanted to stay but he made a sacrifice for all these plans,” she said. ‘It’s not easy that we lost our dearly dad but for the sake of my dad who asked for our support to be with him in Siquijor, we did not hesitate because one of his dreams is to help the people in Siquijor,” she added.

Her brothers Michael Jay, Bryan Joshua and Luke Francis Johann also promised to their father that they will help their mother in her new-found responsibility.

Joan said the remains of their father will be brought to the Loyola Memorial Chapels in Quezon City for interment.  (FREEMAN)