Many execs in Region 10, Caraga to get reelected

By Nora Sorino, GSD-Iligan bureau chief
Lito Rulona, Edwin Iyo and Winston Ensomo
Correspondents

FROM Iligan city in Region 10 up to Surigao City in Caraga, many local chief executives of key cities and provinces are winning reelection.

In Iligan, detained Mayor Celso Regencia, his running mate Msgr. Jemar Vera Cruz, and most of their candidates for the city council are poised for a win.

In the unofficial tally of the Commission on Elections as of 5:30 am yesterday, Regencia was leading with 59,037 votes against his challenger Vice Mayor Ruderic Marzo’s 29,832.

Vera Cruz was also ahead with 52,741 against lawyer Providencio Abragan Jr.’s 39,729.

Ten of their candidates for city council seats are headed for victory.

In Misamis Oriental, Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano has also widened his lead against Villanueva town mayor Julio Uy.

As of 9:30 am yesterday, the unofficial and partial count showed Emano ahead with 242,151 votes while Uy had 174,071.

Emano’s running mate, Vice Gov. Jose Mari Pelaez has also  taken the lead with 228,298 votes over Loloy Cesar, 87,700, and Fermin Jarales, 21,102.

In Misamis Oriental’s component city of Gingoog, reelectionist Mayor Marie Guingona and her mother Ruthie are also winning in the mayoral and vice mayoral elections, respectively.

Mayor Guingona was ahead by over two thousand votes against her challenger Vice Mayor Erick Cañosa while her mother, a former governor and mayor of the city, widened her lead by some eight thousand against provincial board member Jabi Bernaldez.

In Cagayan de Oro, 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez conceded to reelectionist Mayor Oscar Moreno on late Monday night.

As of  7:30 am,  Moreno received 96,215 votes while former mayor Vicente Emano had 80,186, and Rodriguez only got 61,454.

Rodriguez sent Moreno this text message: “I concede to you as the clear winner for mayor! Congratulations, Mayor Oca! Rufus.”

Moreno replied: “Thanks, Rufus! It has been a grueling and difficult journey for all of us! CDO has gone through a polarizing episode! Now that the people have spoken, I hope we pick up the pieces and bring CDO and the region to greater heights. I offer my hand of friendship to you and your family. Best regards.”

Emano has yet to issue a statement.

Rodriguez’s running mate Councilor Roger Abaday also conceded to Carmen barangay councilor Rainier Joaquin Uy in the vice mayoral race.

As of yesterday morning, Uy was ahead with 92,545 votes over Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas, 83,754; and Abaday, 41,967 votes.

In Surigao del Norte, Gov. Sol Matugas is enjoying a comnfortable lead over her rival Guillermo Romarate Jr..

Matugas, based on a partial and unofficial count as of 10:30 am yesterday, had 108,675 votes while Romarate received 85, 645.

Matugas’s running mate Vice Gov. Arturo Carlos Jr. has also widened his lead with 99, 375 votes over his rival Noel Catre who had 66, 815 votes.

In Surigao City, Mayor Ernesto Matugas has taken the lead with 37, 217 votes over Myrna Romarate’s 29, 483.

Lawyer Lucille Sering has conceded in the congressional race. She received 56,514 votes, a far cry from former congressman Robert “Ace” Barbers’s 89,412, based on the  8: 29 am tally.