CAPIZ – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has officially proclaimed the winning candidates for mayor across all 17 local government units (LGUs) in this province following the May 12 local elections.
Of the 17 newly proclaimed mayors, 12 are re-elected incumbents while five are newly-elected officials.
In the 1st District, six incumbent mayors successfully secured another term:
* Roxas City – Ronnie Dadivas (70,692 votes)
* Municipality of Pontevedra – Henry Tumlos (11, 405 votes)
* Municipality of Maayon – Raymond Malapajo (17,526 votes)
* Municipality of Panitan – Katherine Dequiña- Belo (15,431 votes)
* Municipality of Pilar – Arnold Perez (17,336 votes)
* Municipality of President Roxas – Receliste Escolin (9,893 votes)
In contrast, the Municipality of Panay will have a new mayor. Former Provincial Board member Sonny Besa unseated incumbent Mayor Vicente “Toto Vic” Bermejo with 16,396 votes.
Six incumbents in the 2nd District were also re-elected:
* Municipality of Dao – Jose Jimbo Barruela (14,019 votes)
* Municipality of Dumalag – Maria Concepcion Castro (14,207 votes)
* Municipality of Dumarao – Mateo Hachuela (21,328 votes)
* Municipality of Ivisan – Felipe Neri Yap (13,849 votes)
* Municipality of Sapian – Jose Villanueva (13,396 votes)
* Municipality of Sigma – Dante Rizal Eslabon (9,884 votes)
Meanwhile, four towns in the 2nd District will welcome new local chief executives:
* Municipality of Cuartero – mayor-elect Stephen Openiano defeated incumbent mayor Tito Mayo with 11,655 votes
* Municipality of Jamindan – Donnah Valdemar, wife of the outgoing mayor, won with 15,623 votes
* Municipality of Mambusao – Leodegario Labao Jr., husband of the outgoing mayor, prevailed with 15,480 votes
* Municipality of Tapaz – Rex Dante Palomar secured victory with 14,594 votes
The proclamation of winners marks the conclusion of another peaceful and democratic electoral exercise in the province./PN
