Reelectionists rule roost

Reelectionist Muntinlupa City Mayor Aldrin San Pedro was proclaimed Tuesday afternoon as winner over former Mayor Jaime Fresnedi.

With a 98.78 percent tally, the Commission on Elections noted San Pedro’s 107,498 votes against his rival’s 76,366 count was irreversible.

Running mate Vice Mayor Artemio Simundac’s 89,873 enjoyed a wide lead over Iglesia Ni Cristo-endorsed Marissa Rongavilla’s 77,140 as of 4 .m. yesterday.

Senator Rodolfo “Pong” Biazon posted 78,553 against lawyer Ricardo “Dong” Puno’s 46,486 for the lone congressional district.

In Parañaque City, Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. (87,127) was also proclaimed winner over actor and former Mayor Joey Marquez (39,459) and 1st District Rep. Eduardo Zialcita (79,370).

His running mate, Vice Mayor Gus Tambunting mustered 101,107 votes versus actor and former Vice Mayor Anjo Yllana, who got 84,000.

In Las Piñas City, present Mayor Vergel “Nene” Aguilar is uncontested with 141,579 votes on an 84.90 percent canvass at 4 p.m. along with Vice Mayor Luis Bustamante.

The son of defeated Nationalist Party standard bearer Manuel Villar, Mark, won the Las Pinas congressional seat with 126,456 votes over Francisco Antonio’s 9,458 votes.

But an upset looms in Pasay City as Vice Mayor Antonino Calixto of the Liberal Party tacks on a partial vote of 52,722 against the 40,777 showing of Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad of Nacionalista.

Former Pasay Rep. Connie Dy is behind Calixto, with 50,170 votes.

Imelda Calixto-Rubiano (LP) with 58,779 votes at 4:30 p.m. is pacing Rep. Jose Antonio Roxas’ 47,434.

On his last-term, Caloocan Mayor Enrico Echiverri and his running mate former Rep. Edgardo Erice managed to frustrate the tandem of former Rep. Luis Asistio and former Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo from taking over city hall.

Erice replaces Vice Mayor Luis Varela, who has completed three consecutive terms.

Losing congressional bet Nani Almeda conceded victory to present Caloocan Rep. Mary Mitzi Cajayon now on her second term.

In Valenzuela City, Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian moves on to his final term joined by second-term Vice Mayor Eric Martinez.

Sitting Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo I defeated challenger Pastor Carlitos Tiquia.

On Tuesday, the city board of canvassers proclaimed Shalani Soledad as top 2nd District councilor with 79.588 votes along with Kate Galang Coseteng (74,811), the daughter-in-law of former Rep. Nikki Coseteng, Ma. Cecilia Mayo, Lailani Nolasco, Lorie Natividad Borja, and Adrian Dapat.

Gatchalian’s younger brother Rexlon retained his 1st District post.

Counterpart winners in the 1st District are councilors Ritche Cuadra, Lai Pineda, Antonio Espiritu, Corazon Cortez, Gerry Esplana and Martin Alejandrino.

Sitting Rep. Josephine Veronique Lacson-Noel is Malabon congresswoman, reaffirming her win after a recount in November last year by the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal.

Uncontested Mayor Canuto Oreta was proclaimed winner together with councilor Antolin Oreta III; Vice Mayor Arnold Vicencio lost to Lacson-Noel.

Now a separate district, Navotas is further entrenched with the Tiangco clan.

Exiting Mayor Toby is uncontested congressional representative while brother, John Rey takes over city hall.

Pasig maintains status quo ante with Mayor Robert Eusebio, Vice Mayor Rosalio Martirez, and Rep. Roman Romulo.

In San Juan, last term Mayor Joseph Victor Ejercito goes up to congress with mother Guia Gomez replacing him; vice mayor is Councilor Francis Zamora, son of former Rep. Ronaldo Zamora.

In Mandaluyong City, Mayor Benhur Abalos retains his post.

Now on his second term, he served as representative of Mandaluyong City in 1998 after three terms.

Rep. Neptali Gonzales, whom Abalos replaced as mayor, likewise remains in place. Winning councilors under the Lakas-NUCD are (District 1) Jonathan Abalos, Anthony Suva, Louie Espinosa, Severo Servillon and Alex Santos; (District 2) Edward Bartolome, Michael Ocampo, Noel Bernardo, Alex Sta.Maria and Francisco Esteban.

In Marikina, Rep. Del de Guzman is mayor—after three-term Marides Fernando—along with Liberal Party mates Dr. Fabian Cadiz as vice mayor and Lawyer Romero Quimbo, former Pag-IBIG president and chief executive, as 2nd District representative. 1st District Rep. Marcelino Teodoro continues his term. –Ferdinand Fabella and Gigi Muñoz David, Manila Standard Today