LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD Candidates Win By Landslide Against The NPC's,PMP's

May 17,2010
LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD Candidates Win By Landslide Against NPC’s,PMP’s
By Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.
Maasin City, Southern Leyte-LAKAS - KAMPI –CMD candidates have won by landslide against NPC’s and PMP’s during the recent May 10,2010 first automation polls national and local elections here.
Re-electionist Maasin City Mayor Maloney Samaco junked rival candidate Rosette Yñiguez Lerias,26,561 votes and 13,798 votes respectively. RE-electionist Vice-Mayo Maria Effie Abiera who was running unopposed reaped 29,095 votes.
Of the 10 city councilors,9 were re-electionists and only one newcomer Atty. Romeo Geniston.He was number 7 with 18,021 votes.
The number one up to fourth councilors were Atty. Cromwell Rafael Gerong (20,925 votes), Atty. Margarita Bantug (20,861 votes), Reynaldo Hatayna (19,742 votes) and Costillas (19,463 votes).
There were 13 newcomers running for the position of City Councilors under different political affiliations like NPCs, PMPs and independents.
The final count of votes for Maasin City alone was completed only on the evening of May 13, 2010 by the City Board of Canvassers inside the City Hall’s SP session hall.
The delay of the electronic transmissions of votes was caused by the defective flashcards whose replacement from Manila reached 3 days after the first ever automated polls.
The three- member City Board of Canvassers were City Prosecutor Elpidio Quijada, Dr. Pedro Escobarte of DepEd and COMELEC’s Election Officer 11 Lawrence Irman Gelsano.The latter presided over the proclamation of the City’s winning candidates before midnight of May 13.
Samaco in his short speech profusely thanked his family members and kins, relatives, friends, leaders and Barangay Captains and some city hall employees for their support during the 90 days campaign sorties to various City’s 70 barangays.
He also said he has already forgiven his political rivals for the bitter accusations and allegations hurled against him during the rallies and meetings.
He added he will continue his 13 agenda like livelihood projects, constructions of gymnasiums and covered courts, roads, agriculture, others, particularly for the retention and improvement of the Maasin City College.
In a related development, the following day, May 14, 2010 re-electionists Governor Damian Mercado and Congressman Roger Mercado including the winning 8 SP members were likewise proclaimed by the members of the Provincial Board of Canvassers inside the SP’s Legislative Building at the provincial capitol site. .The PBC was composed of COMELEC’s Atty. Antonio Gulay,Jr.,DepEd Superintendent Violeta Alocilja and Fiscal Antonino Ruiz.
Governor Mercado garnered 132,696 votes against main rival candidate Marissa “Dondeet” Lerias with 47,430 votes. Jerome Roden has only 1190 votes. Congressman Mercado bagged 125,912 votes against main rival Congressional candidate Anecito Saludo, Sr. with 61,595 votes. Vicente Geraldo got 961 votes while Jeffrey Roden has 590 votes
Of the 8 winners for the Board members, 3 were newcomers-Felicula C. Escaño (First District-40,611 votes), Florentino Fernandez,Jr. (Second District-43,039 votes)and Abelardo Almario(Second District-38,445 votes).
Picture taking s followed after each separate consecutive proclamation among the city’s and the provincial’s candidates with their respective family members and supporters.
The special occasions were both attended by family members, relatives, friends, supporters, some barangay officials, and city and provincial employees.
Other winning City Councilors: 6) Ricky Montalbo-18,998 votes; 7) Alejandro Rojas-18,786 votes; 8) Geronimo Mercado-17,901; 9) Nestor Sy,Sr.-17,669 votes; 10)Antonio Cardoza-15,491 votes.
Winning Sangguniang Panlalawigan members: First District-1) Albert Esclamado-50,839 votes;2)Cesar Rey-42,064 votes; 3)Teopisto Rojas,Jr.-39,604 votes. Second District: 1) Roberto Lagmubay-46,772 votes;2)Daisy Gumale-46,343 votes. (Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)