INCUMBENT Governor Peter M. Unabia (Paglaum) was unable to reach his second term as the Commission on Election (Comelec) is expected to be proclaimed in a few hours the unexpected victory of former Congresswoman Juliette Uy in the second district of the province of Misamis Oriental who will become the second female governor.
While Atty Karen Lagbas daughter of the late Congressman Danilo Lagbas Sr., is also to be proclaimed winner by the commission as the new representative of the province's first district seated incumbent Congressman Christian Unabia.
Like his father, Cong. Unabia did not make it to his final term.
Meanwhile, Joshua Unabia, another son of Governor Unabia, lost to incumbent mayor Akexis Quina for the mayoralty of Balingasag.
Only one member of the Unabia family won the mayoral race in Balingoan, Atty. Candy Unabia, wife of outgoing mayor Aaron Paul Unabia, is also the governor's son.
In the final count of the Board of Canvassers, Uy got a total of 327,305 votes against Unabia’s 235,023 while Atty Lagbas got 140,549 votes against Cong Unabia’s 112,758.
It was remembered that Congresswoman-elect Atty Lagbas lost to their father (Peter) in their first meeting in 2010.
Governor-Elect Juliette Uy and Representative-Elect Karen Lagbas were both losses to Unabia in the 2022 elections.
Outgoing Gov Unabia, also known as Sr. Pedro, served governor of the province since 2022. He also served as vice mayor of Gingoog from 2019 to 2022, and Representative for the 1st district from 2010 to 2019. Older Unabia also served as board member of the province's first district from June 30, 2007 to June 30, 2010.
During the campaign, both Uy and Lagbas of the National Unity Party (NUP) were both secured the endorsements from the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC).
It can be recalled that the country’s most influential religious organization has supported the candidacy of the father and son for governor and congressman in the last 2022 elections.
However, due to Congressman Unabia’s signing of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte recently, the church support for them was withdrawn.
The Unabia only won in the small town of Balingoan of the Gingoog Bay Area GBA. The GBA comprises the towns of Magsaysay Medina Talisayan, Balingoan, and the city of Gingoog the so-called Unabia’s country.
All Paglaum candidates in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan have all won, led by incumbent Vice Governor Jeremy Jonahmar Pelaez re elected board member Marlon C Kho, Board member elect Vice Mayor Rommel Maslog of Talisayan, Board Member elect Roy Aniscal and incumbent board member Rey Buhisan.
