MASANTOL -- After a 48-hour delay, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) here finally proclaimed the winners in the recently concluded midterm elections in this town Wednesday afternoon, May 16.

Re-electionist Mayor Danilo Guintu, although unopposed, awaited until all election returns were transmitted to the Municipal Election Board of Canvassers before he was formally proclaimed as still the local chief executive, wherein he garnered a total of 19,673 votes.

Guintu’s running mate, three-term Councilor Epifanio “Boboy” Lacap Jr., emerged as the winner in the vice-mayoralty race after obtaining the highest votes of 11,620 against his rivals Mayor Peter Flores with 10,556 and incumbent Vice Mayor Ralph Nulud with only 5,967.

Lacap, the son of former mayors Epifanio Lacap Sr. and Corazon Lacap, expressed gratitude to Masantoleños who put their trust and confidence in him to lead the municipality into further development through the legislative body.

“Thank you for this very sweet victory you’ve given me. We may have waited longer but all came worth it because of your endless support and trust on me and the whole Team Guintu,” Lacap said.

As the new presiding officer of the Municipal Council, Lacap said he will lead the review of existing local ordinances for proper revision, as well as in creating new laws that will benefit Masantoleños, especially those in the marginalized sector.

“We have very big dreams for Masantol and we want to maximize our position in the local government to realize those as our way of gratitude to Masantoleños for the trust they’ve given me,” he said.

Guintu, for his part, urged the candidates in the midterm polls, both elected and unfortunate ones, to leave all the differences behind and be united in bringing progress for Masantol.

“The local government’s door is always open if they want to provide help and assist us in creating programs that will develop our municipality. More than all the political colors and affiliations, we are Masantoleños so let us foster unity among each other,” he said.

Meanwhile, winning the seats at the Municipal Council are Liezle Guintu, Ronald Flores, Jimmy Balingit, Ruperto Viray, Carlito Viray, Bernard Guevarra, Marcelo Lacap Jr., and Reynoso Sunga.