CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Provincial Board of Canvassers of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday finally proclaimed the winning candidates in the provincial level after two days delay after vote-counting machines hampered voting procedures in Angeles City, City of San Fernando and Bacolor town.
Pampanga was able to transmit its election returns after two days delay in the submission of election returns from Bacolor and San Fernando.
It could be remembered that precinct in Bacolor's Barangay Calibutbut and San Fernando’s Barangays Alasas and Quebiawan had to wait for new SD cards from Laguna to be able to operate the vote-counting machines that had encountered technical problems last May 9. There was also a delay in the transmission of votes from Angeles City.
Nevertheless, the Comelec here was able to transmit election results as of 3 p.m. on Wednesday paving the way for the proclamation of winners.
First to be proclaimed was First District Representative-elect Carmelo Lazatin II with 127,762 votes followed by Second District Representative elect Maria Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with 190,043. Lazatin ran under the local party Lingap Lugud and defeated incumbent Representative Joseller Guiao of the Liberal Party while Macapagal-Arroyo ran under Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats.
Macapagal-Arroyo was represented by her daughter Luli Arroyo-Bernas.
Third on the order of proclamation was Third District Representative Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales, Jr. of the Nationalist People's Coalition who won by 137,786 against rival Liberal Party incumbent Representative Oscar Rodriguez. Gonzales was joined by his wife Beth his family and supporters.
The last representative to be proclaimed was Fourth District Representative Juan Pablo “Rimpy” Bondoc who won with a landslide vote of 148,641 against rival incumbent Apalit Mayor Oscar Tetangco, Jr. Bondoc ran under the Nacionalista Party while Tetangco ran under the local Kambilan Party.
The Comelec also proclaimed winners for the seats in the Provincial Board. For the fourth district, the Comelec proclaimed returning Board Member-elect Nelson Calara of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) and Pol Balingit of the Nacionalista Party.
Proclaimed Third District Board members included Dinan Labung and Rosve Henson, both incumbent board members and Jun Canlas. All three are from the Kambilan Party.
First district board members for the coming term include incumbent Cherry Manalo of the Kambilan Party and independent candidate Benny Jocson.
Unopposed Second District Board Members Art Salalila, Anthony Torres and Salvador Dimson Jr. were also proclaimed on Wednesday. All three are from the Kambilan Party.
Governor Lilia Pineda was proclaimed for her third term with 736,816 votes. She was joined by her family and grandchildren during the proclamation.
The last to be proclaimed was incumbent Vice Governor Dennis Pineda who garnered 649,425 votes. He was joined by his wife incumbent Santa Rita mayor Yolanda Pineda and their children.
Governor Pineda and Vice-Governor Pineda ran unopposed.