• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The same family names are still dominating politics in Negros Occidental, although some lost during the May 12 elections.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Monday (May 19) that residents in many local government units have accepted it.
“It’s really up to the electorate or the voters to decide on what is good for their community,” Lacson said.
Former Mayor Richard Jaojoco reclaimed his seat as the chief executive of Toboso, replacing his wife, Madonnah, who served as the municipal mayor for one term.
Mayor Melecio Yap Jr. was also reelected as mayor of Escalante City. He had been a congressman of the Negros Occidental 1st district for a single term, and also previously held the position as city mayor for nine years.
Julio Ledesma IV is also returning as congressman of the Negros Occidental 1st district, a position he had occupied in the 1990s.
Marxlen de la Cruz, who was elected as the 1st district board member, was succeeded by his brother, Nehemiah Joe, as mayor of Don Salvador Benedicto.
Both their parents, Cynthia and the late Nehemias, had also served as mayor of the town.
Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. was reelected for a second term as mayor of Cadiz City, with his nephew, John Vincent Escalante, as the vice mayor. Prior to his position, the elder Escalante served as 2nd district board member for nine years.
Negros Occidental 2nd district Rep. Alfredo Marañon III was also reelected for a second term. He is the son of the late Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and nephew of also then Governor Joseph Marañon, who also both served as mayor of Sagay City.
Arthur Christopher Marañon, brother of Rep. Marañon, won as a representative of the 2nd district to the Provincial Board.
Councilor Micah Escalante is also replacing her father, Manuel Escalante III, as mayor of Manapla, while Matthew Louis Malacon, who won the E.B. Magalona mayoral race, will occupy the position to be vacated by his father, Marvin, who was elected as the municipal vice mayor.
Lawyer Rowena Lizares will succeed her husband, Nilo Jesus Antonio Neil, who served for nine years as mayor of Talisay City.
Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez and his father, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, won the congressional seats of Negros Occidental 3rd district and Bacolod City Lone District, respectively.
Outgoing Rep. Greg Gasataya was elected mayor of the highly-urbanized Bacolod City.
Mayor Miguel Peña was reelected as the mayor of Pulupandan, which was previously occupied by his father, Magdaleno.
Jose Maria Alonso got another mandate as mayor of Pontevedra while his brother, 4th district Board Member Jose Benito Alonso, won the vice gubernatorial race. Paula Alonso, daughter of the incoming vice governor, was elected as 4th district board member to succeed her father.
Jilson Tubillara got reelected as mayor of San Enrique for a third and final term.
Incumbent Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer is returning to his previous position as the 4th district congressman, replacing his wife, Juliet Marie Ferrer.
Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan, who is set to end her nine-year term, has been elected as vice mayor. Her brother, Añejo, will be next mayor.
Mayor Nadie Arceo and his wife, Vice Mayor Mary Grace Arceo, will also swap positions after the couple won the top two positions in Hinigaran.
Miguel Angelo Yulo is the new mayor of Isabela, defeating incumbent Vice Mayor Juan Miguel Montilla. He is the son of reelected 5th district Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo.
Siblings Himamaylan City Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao and 5th district Board Member Rita Gatuslao were also reelected to their respective positions.
Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo was reelected as mayor of Moises Padilla, with her husband, Felix Mathias Yulo, also winning as vice mayor.
Mayor Benjie Miranda won a second term as mayor of Kabankalan City, with his wife Divina elected as vice mayor as well.
Sixth district Rep. Mercedes Alvarez was reelected, with sibling Mayor Paul Alvarez getting another term as mayor of Ilog, with his son Paulo as the vice mayor.
Ralph Alvarez, nephew of Mercedes and Paul, was elected as board member of the 6th district.
Siblings Mayor John Rey Tabujara and Vice Mayor Ana Liza Tabujara Soriano were both reelected to the top two positions of Cauayan town.
Likewise, Mayor Maria Gina Montilla Lizares and Vice Mayor Oscar Montilla were both given a fresh mandate in Sipalay City.
In Bago City, Marina Javellana-Yao was elected mayor, defeating incumbent Vice Mayor Ramon Torres Jr., who was previously mayor for nine years.
Incumbent Mayor Rex Jalando-on was also defeated by Jose Luis Jalandoni in the mayoral race of La Carlota City. | GB
