Upset wins in Congress

Those who were leading in the surveys on preferences for senator won as expected. Even their election rankings were almost similar to the results of the surveys. There were no surprises there. Not so in the race for congressional seats, where a number of notable upsets were recorded.

One of the biggest upsets was seen in the second congressional district of Batangas where former Rep. Tomas Apacible won over former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita. I thought all along that Ermita was virtually invincible in the district. When he completed three terms in the House, his seat was “inherited” by his daughter, who also served for three terms. All of his candidates for mayor in his district won. Why, then, did he lose? Some may say that Ermita was a victim of “electronic Garci” but until this is proven, I would count his loss to Apacible one of the greatest upsets last May 10.

Another upset was that chalked up by Lani Mercado over former Rep. Plaridel Abaya in the newly reconfigured second legislative district of Cavite. Mercado, wife of Sen. Bong Revilla, had previously ran for Congress but lost. It helped that the mayor of the district’s most populous town, Bacoor, Strike Revilla, is her brother-in-law. Cavite was one of the beneficiaries of the redistricting law that saw its former four districts increased to seven. And, of course, one of the main beneficiaries was also Mercado.

Gov. Niel Tupas of Iloilo has established a political dynasty in his province. He had been undefeated in local politics—but there is always a first time. He tasted his first defeat in the hands of reelectionist Rep. Ferjenel Biron, known as one of the main authors of the Cheaper Medicines Act.

The victory of former Rep. Sandy Ocampo over Rep. Bienvenido Abante in the sixth district of Manila is another upset. I thought the political career of Sandy ended when she lost to Mark Jimenez in 2001. Now, it has been resurrected and she did it in grand fashion—against one of the more familiar names in Congress.

Rep. Liwayway Vinzons Chato lost her bid for a third term in Congress when she lost to Ermer Panotes in the second district of Camarines Norte. She was one of the more active members of the House but I guess her constituents had considered some factors other than her performance in the chamber. Chato was a former commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and had been described as a nemesis of taipan Lucio Tan.

Since the Eighth Congress, the Mambas had held sway in the third district of Cagayan. That stranglehold on the district was broken when Mayor Randolph Ting of Taguegarao defeated Francisco Mamba Jr.

More winners

Congratulations to former newsman Ben Evardone, the incoming congressman in the lone district of Eastern Samar. Ben, a former governor, was with Malaya when he covered the Batasan and then the Eighth Congress. He won over Rep. Teodulo Coquilla.

After three years, Rosdel Amante goes back to the House to claim the seat in Agusan del Norte currently held by her father Edel. Edel, one of the wittiest members of the House had decided to take a leave from politics and let the younger generation—his children of course!—take over. One of his sons, John Erlpe, has been reelected governor of Agusan del Norte.

Also taking a leave from politics is Deputy Speaker Raul del Mar of Cebu City. His daughter Cutie handily won the seat he was vacating. I don’t know how long he could stay away though. When his first three terms as congressman ended, his son Raoul took over. However, Raoul considered medicine a better calling than politics and hide off to Texas after just one term. Raul will be completing his second three-year term on June 30.–EFREN L. DANAO, Manila Times

efrendanao2003@yahoo.com