Wednesday, May 16, 2007 Incumbents taking the lead in NegOcc By Ma. Ester L. Espina
THOSE in power still have the advantage after majority of the incumbent re-electionists are showing trends of winning this election except for a few, but critical upsets, in the 19 towns and 14 cities in Negros Occidental.
The senatorial candidates of Genuine Opposition are also taking the lead in unofficial exit polls by various media organizations, although this is not yet reflective of votes coming from the countryside where results are predicted to still be 7-5 in favor of the Team Unity.
Among the congressmen, unofficially resulting with a wide margin against their contenders are Ignacio Arroyo (5th district), Jose Carlos Lacson (3rd district), come backing Genaro Alvarez (6th district), unopposed Alfredo Marañon III (2nd district) and Jeffrey Ferrer (4th district).
Possibly returning to the House of Congress is former Rep. Jules Ledesma whom sources claim have upset the reelection bid of incumbent Rep. Tranquilino Carmona after gaining a wide margin reportedly of 9,000 in San Carlos City and more than 2,000 in Don Salvador Benedicto.
In Escalante City, field reports claim that incumbent Mayor Santiago Barcelona is winning in the vice-mayoralty race but the mayoralty bid of his wife, Alice, is not getting a good chance against Melecio Yap.
Bacolod lone district Rep. Monico Puentevella is also facing a serious challenge against Renecito Novero after results are showing both in a very close fight. At the mayoralty level though, incumbent Evelio Leonardia is winning by a wide margin against Luzviminda Valdez while the vice-mayoralty is still anybody's guess between Councilors Thaddeus Sayson and Lyndon Caña. Elmer Sy meanwhile has been lagging at a far third but still giving a good fight.
Upsets were also noted in some towns and cities such as in Pulupandan were controversial lawyer, Magdaleno Peña appears to be heading for a win against Sammy Mondia, the brother of incumbent mayor Luis Mondia.
Radio reports claim there were some precincts, even in Mondia's bailiwick where he got no votes at all.
Major upsets were also reported in Silay City where incumbent Carlo Gamban seems to be losing to Jose Montelibano, the latter earlier declared by the Comelec division as having won in the last election. Montelibano appealed to Comelec chief, Benjamin Abalos, to allow him to serve the last remaining days now that he has proven, he is the real winner in Silay.
E.B. Magalona town mayor, Alfonso Gamboa is also showing a small margin of loss in the hundreds against vice-mayor David Lacson based on unofficial results while Valladolid mayor Ricardo Presbitero also appears to be losing to Yogore.
