Monday, May 21, 2007 Comelec proclaims Iggy in 'absentia' By Nicolas C. Delfin and Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
“IT'S good to be back in politics. I feel like I was a first termer again and it feels so good,” said Congressman-elect Julio "Jules" Ledesma IV of the 1st District of the Province after his proclamation at the Negros Occidental Barangay Center (NOBC) in Bacolod City Saturday.
Re-elected Representative Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo, Jr., on the other hand, was proclaimed in absentia by Comelec Provincial Supervisor Jessie Suarez also at the NOBC Saturday night.
Ledesma, husband of actress Assunta de Rossi, toppled re-electionist solon Tranquilino Carmona. He got 63,153 votes over Carmona's 49,065.
Both were official candidates of the Nationalist People's Coalition-United Negros Alliance (NPC-UNA). But it was Carmona who got the party support and endorsement of Governor Joseph Marañon.
First district is composed of five localities that include San Carlos City, Escalante City, Toboso, Calatrava and Don Salvador Benedicyo
"Now that elections are over, it's about time for us to work and serve the people," Assunta's husband said.
Among his two top priorities are to pursue the construction of the proposed P300M community airport in San Carlos City and the establishment of
Infrastructure facilities for bio-ethanol plant also in San Carlos.
More Livelihoods, Scholarships
Arroyo, on the other hand, thanked all his supporters and the people in the 5th District in general for giving his fresh mandate.
Arroyo got 76,503 votes over his lone opponent, former congressman Jose Apolinario "Jun" Lozada, Jr. who only earned 47,500 votes.
"My new victory will mean more livelihood and infrastructure projects for the people of 5th District as well as more scholarships for our youth," Arroyo said in a phone interview.
Health, education
Congressman-elect Genaro Alvarez (6th District) said he will still prioritize health and education.
He said he will also continue the pavement of Candoni-Sipalay road.
Greening the mother earth
For re-elected Representative Jose Carlos "Kako" Lacson (3rd district), he said he will pursue his "Green the Mother Earth" advocacy by campaigning among the youth in his district to plant trees anywhere.
"Let's green our environment to save the Mother Earth," stressed Lacson who "smashed" his rival, incumbent Board Member Reynaldo Depasucat.
Lacson led Depasucat by over 40,000 votes in the cities of Silay, Talisay and Victorias and the towns of EB Magalona and Murcia.
Agriculture, School Buildings
Congressman-elect Jeffrey Ferrer (4th District) will focus on agriculture and construction and repair of school buildings in his district.
He will also pursue the enhancement of port services in Pulupandan and Pontevedra towns.
Likewise, he will address the irrigation problems of farmers in his district.
Fourth District dubbed as the "Food Basket" of Negros Occidental is composed of Pulupandan, Pontevedra, San Enrique, Valladolid and La Carlota City.
Ferrer got 107, 521 votes against Jorge Araneta-Camposano's 9, 160 votes. He will succeed outgoing Congressman Charlie Cojuangco.
