INQUIRER.net Eleksyon 2007

Comelec proclaims winners in South Luzon provinces

Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—Amid slow count in other areas, the Commission on Elections proclaimed more winners in Southern Luzon.

In Laguna, newly elected representatives Justin Mark Chipeco (2nd district), Ma. Evita Arago (3rd district), and Edgar San Luis (4th district) have been proclaimed by the Comelec.

In Quezon province, Ramon Talaga was reelected mayor of Lucena City with 40,945 votes over his rival, former Lucena City mayor Roderick Alcala, who got 27,924 votes.

In Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, after losing his gubernatorial bid, Fr. Ronilo Omanio said he was bent on returning to priesthood if allowed.

Cavite race

In Cavite, winning candidates in all the local positions in the 20 towns and three cities have been proclaimed in their respective areas, the Comelec provincial officer said Saturday.

Juanito Ravanzo said they started the proclamation of winners in the mayoral races and other local elective posts since Thursday.

He said the Comelec has yet to announce the winners in the congressional contest in the first and second districts.

“We expect to finish the canvassing for the provincial position this afternoon. Maybe we can do the proclamation for governor before the day ends,” Ravanzo told the Inquirer.

Reelectionist Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla won his second term beating his closest rival Manny de Castro, former undersecretary of the Presidential Management Staff.

He was proclaimed Friday night at the provincial capitol in Trece Martires City.

But Crispin’s younger brother, opposition stalwart Rep. Gilbert Remulla, was trailing his opponent in the second congressional district of the province.

Camarines Sur

In Camarines Sur, incumbent Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. won over opponent Eduardo Pilapil, who was fielded by his father, Rep. Luis R. Villafuerte.

Governor Villafuerte, of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, is now on his second-term in office. He was proclaimed Friday by the Commission on Elections.

He had a lead of 206,452 votes over Pilapil.

In Catanduanes, Rep Joseph A. Santiago (Nationalist People’s Coalition) won his third term following the Provincial Board of Canvassers’ proclamation of local winners yesterday at the provincial capitol.

In the gubernatorial race, independent candidate Joseph C. Cua pulled off a shocker, upsetting incumbent Gov. Leandro B. Verceles Jr. (Lakas). Cua had 52,356 votes to the governor’s 46,272. Juan Escandor Jr., Romulo Ponte, Delfin T. Mallari Jr., Madonna T. Virola, Marlon Ramos, Bobby Q. Labalan, Fernan Gianan, Inquirer Southern Luzon

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