Married couples, blood relatives win in midterm polls
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Fri, 17 May 2019 09:41:00 +0000
The Cayetanos of Taguig-Pateros and Matbas of Agusan del Sur and Tawi-Tawi are the new married couples to become members of the House of Representatives in the coming 18th Congress.
A number of blood relatives in Quezon, Bukidnon, and Masbate will also represent their congressional districts in the House.
Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano and outgoing Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano won their bids during the May 13 elections.
On the other hand, incumbent Agusan del Norte Gov. Angel Amante has emerged the victor in a fierce political rivalry with brother, Erlpe Amante, for the second district of the province.
Amante, who has emerged as one of the outstanding local government leaders from Mindanao, is married to Tawi-Tawi Gov. Rashidin Matba, an equally exceptional local executive, who is winning against incumbent Rep. Ruby Sahali in the congressional race in Tawi-Tawi.
Incumbent Reps. Horacio Suansing Jr. of Sultan Kudarat and wife, Estrelita Saunsing of Nueva Ecija, were re-elected in their congressional districts.
Horacio maintained at least 103,000-vote lead over Ricardo Piad while Estrelita is expected to win over Rommel Padilla, brother of action star Robin Padilla, in the first district of Nueva Ecija.
Two mother-and-son teams are also expected to sit as 18th Congress members.
Former Quezon Rep. Aleta Suarez will return as congresswoman, this time, with her son, incumbent Gov. David Jayjay Suarez who will represent the second district of the province.
In Masbate, incumbent Rep. Olga Kho will sit beside son, incumbent Cataingan Mayor Wilton “Tonton” Kho, when President Duterte delivers his third State-of-the-Nation address in July.
A Nacionalista Party member, David is leading the congressional race with former Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala placing second. On the other hand, Aleta has a lead of over 110 ,000 votes over closest rival Ronnie de Luna of Aksyon.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri’s brother, Rep. Manuel Zubiri, and cousin, Malaybalay City Mayor Inaki Zubiri, also won against opponents in Bukidnon.
House Speaker Gloria M. Arroyo will be replaced by eldest son, former Rep. Mikee Arroyo, who will return as representative of Pampanga’s second district. Also making a comeback is former party-list Rep. Ma. Lourdes Arroyo who will represent the fifth district of Negros Occidental.
Ma. Lourdes, wife of renowned violinist John Lesaca, ran unopposed while Mikee was virtually unopposed as rival Jun Pulin Ponio was only able to garner 14,235 out of the possible 216,000 votes in the district.
Cousins Faustino Michael Dy of the fifth district and Inno Dy of the sixth district won in Isabela. They are the sons of feuding brothers, outgoing Rep. Napoleon Dy and incoming Vice Gov. Faustino Dy Jr., respectively. (Ben R. Rosario)