• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Negros Occidental has four new lady mayors after the May 12 elections.
Atty. Rowena “Weng” Lizares, wife of outgoing Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares, is the first lady mayor elected by Talisaynons and was proclaimed May 13 with 31,706 votes against Samuel Siote, who got 26,907 votes.
Her win marks a historic milestone in the political landscape and ushers in a new era of leadership in Talisay, the city PIO said in a post.
In Bago, Councilor Mayette Javellana won the mayoral race with 48,312 votes compared to the 36,312 votes received by incumbent Vice Mayor Ramon Torres.
“This victory is for you, my God, you have weaved everything beautifully for us,” Javellana said in a post. “It was definitely not an easy road but each time, we felt your hands lifting us all the way up to have courage to continue the fight.”
In Manapla, Councilor Mika Escalante got an overwhelming 25,018 votes against the 784 of Christine Miñada in the mayoral race, per official records of the Commission on Elections May 13.
In Hinigaran, Vice Mayor Mary Grace Arceo also won in the mayoral race with 27,138 votes against the 19,251 of Teresita Gabrido. She will swap posts with her husband, incumbent Nadie Arceo, on July 1.
The four new lady mayors will join the circle of reelected local chief executives Marilyn Era of Calatrava, Maria Gina Lizares of Sipalay, and Ella Garcia-Yulo of Moises Padilla.
La Castellana Mayor Rhummyla Nicor Mangilimutan is the vice mayor-elect of the town, while incumbent Isabela Mayor Irene Montilla failed in her vice mayoral bid against Renato Malabor Jr.
In Kabankalan, Divina Miranda, wife of reelected Mayor Benjie Miranda, was proclaimed the vice mayor-elect.
There will also be two lady board members (BMs) in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Occidental.
Atty. Bambi Depasucat and Paula Alonso will sit as new BMs representing the 3rd and 4th districts, respectively.
They will join reelected BMs Araceli Somosa (1st District) and Rita Gatuslao (5th District). | CGC
