CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Cagayan de Oro City 1st District Representative Lordan Suan will return to the House of Representatives after defeating Mayor Rolando Uy’s son, Raineir Joaquin.
The local board of canvassers proclaimed Suan the winner on Tuesday, May 13, with 88,526 votes over Uy’s 85,099.
This is the second time Uy and Suan battled for the 1st District’s congressional seat. Suan won during their first matchup with 54% of the vote in 2022.
Uy’s camp sought to suspend the proclamation of the results, citing a disqualification complaint filed against Suan over alleged vote buying. But the local board of canvassers pushed through with the proclamation since there was no order from the Commission on Elections en banc.
Suan campaigned on continuing several infrastructure projects and social service programs in his district, such as the construction of farm-to-market roads and educational assistance.
However, Suan’s reelection bid also encountered obstacles after he signed the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte. The reelectionist became a target of misinformation following the move. (READ: FACT CHECK: Cagayan De Oro congressional bet Lordan Suan has not been disqualified)
When Duterte visited Cagayan de Oro City’s Barangay Macabalan on April 30, she hinted that a certain congressman signed the impeachment complaint against her in exchange for money.
“Didto diay dapat ko sa pikas distrito nga okay lang nga mudawat ko og kwarta para gub-on ang pangalan sa usa ka taw. Kay mao raman pud na akong ipalit og boto,” she said.
(I should have gone to the other district, where it’s okay that I accepted money to destroy someone’s name because that’s what I’m going to use to buy votes.)
Suan explained that it was his responsibility as a congressman to do so. He added that he continues to respect Duterte and her family despite the move. – Rappler.com