BAGUIO, Philippines – The Ortega political clan of La Union has retained control of the province’s top posts despite intra-family rivalry, holding on to the gubernatorial seat and the congressional post in the province’s 1st District.
La Union Vice Governor Mario Eduardo Ortega defeated his grandniece, Governor Raphaelle “Rafy” Ortega-David, to claim the governorship. His running mate, Aringay Mayor Eric Sibuma, won the vice gubernatorial race.
Ortega, a member of the influential political family, garnered 273,671 votes or 49.37% in the gubernatorial race, ahead of Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) bet Rafy Ortega-David, who received 178,168 votes or 32.14%, based on partial and unofficial results from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Media Server as of 8:51 p.m. on Monday, May 13, with 98.69% of precincts reporting.
Other candidates, Bishop Manny Fonseca and Paco Santiago, trailed far behind with 2,511 votes (0.45%) and 1,588 votes (0.29%), respectively.
In the vice gubernatorial race, Sibuma of Lakas-CMD secured 283,612 votes or 51.17%, placing him well ahead of his closest rival, NPC’s Thomas Dumpit Jr., who had 134,852 votes or 24.33%.
Francisco Paolo Ortega V retained his congressional seat in the 1st District, defeating his cousin Joy Ortega. In the 2nd District, reelectionist Dante Garcia fended off a challenge from Francisco “Pacoy” Ortega III, Joy’s brother and Rafy’s father.
Paolo, of Lakas-CMD, had 141,860 votes, equivalent to 25.59% of the total number of registered voters in the district. His closest rival, Joy, of the Nacionalista Party (NP), had 47,798 votes (8.62%). Ed Banzon of PDP-Laban trailed with 3,547 votes (0.64%).
Alfred Ortega, Pacoy’s sibling, lost his mayoral bid in San Fernando City to reelectionist Mayor Dong Gualberto.
Meanwhile, Paolo’s father, Pablo Ortega, ran unopposed for vice mayor, while Mario’s daughter, Danielle, won a seat on the city council.
In San Juan, a popular surf and tourist destination, Pablo’s wife, Mariquita, won the mayoralty. Mannix, Pacoy’s brother, finished fourth in the five-way race.
Mario and Pablo are siblings, while Pacoy, Mannix, Joy and Alfred are children of their brother, former governor Manoling Ortega, whose wife, Denny, lost her bid for a provincial board seat.
Those who won in the race for provincial board seats from two districts include Charry Nisce, Migs Magsaysay, Gerard Ostrea, Aaron Pinzon, Ernesto Rafon, Alyssa Kristine Sibuma, Tess Garcia, Martin De Guzman, Ruperto Rillera Jr., and Jeferson Fernando. – Rappler.com