Monday, May 21, 2007 Comelec proclaims Dutertes, others By Grace L. Plata
THE city board of canvassers proclaimed on Saturday night winning candidates in Davao City, led by re-electionist City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter vice mayor-elect Sara Duterte.
But the two failed to attend the proclamation. Christopher Lawrence Go, the mayor's executive assistant, told reporters Sara is presently in Manila undergoing medical tests.
Her father accompanies her. It can be recalled that the young lawyer was hospitalized two weeks before the May 14 elections after she complained of abdominal pains. She was diagnosed to be suffering from kidney ailment.
Final count tallied by the Commission on Election showed the city mayor with 382,185 votes while Sara got 338,095 votes.
The canvassers declared both figures as the highest vote legally cast so far for each of the said offices.
Candidates, mostly re-electionists, who run under Duterte's Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod dominated the polls, including the three congressmen-elect who will represent the city's three congressional districts in the next three years.
Proclaimed winners in congress races are re-electionist Representatives Prospero Nograles in the first congressional district, and Vincent Garcia in the 2nd District.
Surprised winner is former councilor Isidro Ungab who defeated his closest rival Councilor Rene Elias Lopez, brother of outgoing Representative Ruy Elias, in the third congressional district, a known bailiwick of the Lopezes.
Hugpong bets also made a clean sweep in the 1st district of the city, all but one are re-electionists.
Topping the ranks is Mabel Sunga-Acosta followed by Leonardo Avila III, Pilar Braga, Angela Librado-Trinidad, Peter Laviña, Bonifacio Militar Nilo Abellera and Bankerohan town captain Edgar Ibuyan, the lone newcomer who replace the seat o be vacated by outgoing floor leader Emmanuel Galicia Sr.
Acosta, Trinidad and Militar were absent during the proclamation.
In the 2nd district, not all Hugpong bets made it through the council race as independent bet Dante Apostol placed fourth knocking Nenita Orcullo to the 9th place.
Unexpectedly topping the polls in the 2nd district is newcomer Louie John Bonguyan, son of outgoing Vice Mayor Luis BOnguyan.
He is followed by Diosdado Mahipus; Danilo Dayanghirang; Dante Apostol; Dr. Samuel Bangoy; Lawyer Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling; Tomas Monteverde IV and; Susan Isabel Reta.
Except for Jeppie Ramada, council bets running in the third district also won, led by Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz. Wilberto Al-ag, Victorio Advincula, Rachel Zozobrado, Karlo Bello, Jose Louie Villafuerte and Teresita Mata follow her.
