LEADERS with different political experiences will be taking the mayoralty seats of Pampanga towns and a city this coming June.
As of 10 a.m. Monday, May 9, 2022, at least eight Pampanga towns have chosen to reelect their incumbent leaders against their challengers.
These include Candaba Mayor Rene Maglanque (39,194 votes) against lone challenger Aniway Baylon (27,068); San Simon Mayor Abundio “JP” Punsalan (17,078) against close rival incumbent Vice Mayor Leonora Wong (16,085) and three challengers incumbent Councilor Keko Almario (1,973), Jojo Gutierrez (1,879), and Bong Garcia (1,357); Mexico Mayor Teddy Tumang (52,385) against challengers incumbent Vice Mayor Jonathan Pangan (20,475), and former mayor Ernesto Punzalan (3,835); Bacolor Mayor Diman Datu (26,299) against lone challenger Willy Balingit (13,753); Floridablanca Mayor Darwin Manalansan against Dr. Allan Policarpio (18,560) and former mayor Eddie Guerrero (15,735); Macabebe Mayor Bobong Flores (21,385) against sister incumbent Vice Mayor Anette Flores-Balgan (12,933), Porac Mayor Jing Capil (39,031) against former mayor Condralito Dela Cruz (26,016), and Sta. Ana Mayor Ross Gamboa (15,359) against incumbent Vice Mayor Soy Guevarra (8,083), and lawyer Dennis Pangan (5,950).
Also reelected unopposed were Lubao’s Esmie Pineda (58,829); Apalit’s Mayor Oscar “Jun” Tetangco (41,635); and San Luis’ Jason Sagum (24,528).
Four former mayors namely Sto. Tomas’ John Sambo (15,126), Sasmuan’s Lina Cabrera-Bagasina (9,373), Magalang’s Malu Lacson (38,560), and Sta. Rita’s Art Salalila (12,423) had successful bouts against incumbents and will be making a return at the local chief executive seat.
New leadership will also be experienced in several towns including in Masantol with Tonton Bustos (17,869) winning over Homer Guintu (16,824); Guagua with Board Member Tonton Torres (27,150) over Joe Mendoza (27,004); Minalin with incumbent Vice Mayor Philip Naguit (14,077) over Rolando Flores.
Election in the cities
Meanwhile, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin had a landslide win against lone challenger Councilor Amos Rivera with 103,255 votes over Rivera’s 43,193 at 91.28 percent of election returns.
Mabalacat City Mayor Cris Garbo was also re-elected for another term with 66,151 votes over challengers former mayor Boking Morales’ 21,801 and broadcaster Deng Pangilinan’s 2,985 votes at 83.6 percent election returns.
With 97 percent of election returns already in, the City of San Fernando may have elected its first lady mayor with Association of Barangay Captains President Vilma Caluag (55,508), who is winning against Board Member Rosve Henson (45,917), Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin (35,637), former mayor Oscar Rodriguez (18,784), and Sandy Quiwa (314).