Liberal Party (LP) Sweeps Siquijor Polls

The ruling Liberal Party (LP) has received an overwhelming vote for majority of the elective positions at the provincial level in the island-province of Siquijor.

Results from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Siquijor showed that the LP swept the positions for governor, vice governor and all of the six seats in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan except for the lone congressional district which went to a newcomer and independent candidate.

Incumbent Governor Jecoy Villa (LP) re-elected with 31,708 votes over nearest rival Orlando Fua Sr. (UNA) with 15,481 votes or a margin of more than 50 percent.

Other gubernatorial candidates who trailed behind were Clare Lucero (NUP) with 3,888 votes, Armin Demetillo (IND) 1,471 and Jerry Miraflor (IND) 279 votes.

Mei Ling Quezon (LP), the former mayor of Siquijor, the capital town sharing the province’s name, earned 26,135 votes versus that of Bryan Pernes (IND) who trailed behind with 14,809, followed by Arturo Pacatang (IND) 8,026, Galileo Lee Jumawan (IND) 1,140, and Jacos James Serenio (IND) 785 votes.

Liberal Party candidates won all the seats in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, namely, Cyrus Olpoc with 14,540 votes; Leonardo Lingcay, 13,872; Wawen Honrubia, 13208 (for the first district), Dindo Tumala, 13,128; Noel Monte, 9,618; and, Jaime Valesco, with 7,861.

Meanwhile, newcomer and independent candidate Ramon Vicente Rocamora came out victorious in Monday’s polls, winning the Lone District congressional seat with 22,125 votes over incumbent Rep. Marie Anne Pernes (LP) who got 18,216 votes.

Acting Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Eddie Aba said Monday’s polls in Siquijor were peaceful and orderly, with little hitches, mostly technical involving problems with the Vote Counting Machines that were resolved immediately on the same day. (PNA) FFC/JFP