Dalog Jr, Lacwasan get top MP posts; incumbents rule

By Mark Baybay, Gina Dizon and Epifano Agbulos

BONTOC, Mountain Province –Incumbent provincial officials retained their posts as shown in the result of the May 13 elections.

Maximo Dalog, Jr., 40 (Nationalista Party) won the lone congressional post vacated by his late father who died midway through his term.

The death of the former lawmaker handed the responsibility to Kalinga congressman Sonny Mangaoang as congressional caretaker who continued his advocacies until the end of the term.

Mangaoang won in Kalinga during the May 13 polls as congressional representative.

Dalog garnered 25,701 votes to fend off Avelino Amangyen (17,778), Jupiter Dominguez (17,366), Anthony Wooden ((11,004), and Allen Ocden (8,880).

Candidates Abrian Libang substituted by one Angel Libang and Albert Paday-os received 185 and 182 votes respectively.

In an interview, Dalog expressed his gratefulness to the people of Mountain Province who supported and voted in his favor. “I wish to thank everyone for the expression of love, trust and confidence in favor of my candidacy and such will be our strength and challenge as we brace up and prepare to represent the citizenry of Mountain Province in the House of Representatives for the next three years starting July 1, 2019,” he said.

Dalog said he will pursue unfinished legislative agenda, plans and programs of his late father, former governor and congressman Maximo B. Dalog, Sr. with the hallmark flagship program anchored in the acronym PRESTIGE 2.

He added he will introduce innovative measures that will favor Mountain Province and its constituents especially on empowerment of the youth, women, senior citizens, LGBT, indigenous peoples, farmers and employees.

Incumbent governor Bonifacio Lacwasan, Jr., 60, cemented his hold on the governorship with 31,908 voters against contenders, former Sagada mayor Eduardo Latawan, Jr.   (25,010) and Natonin mayor Mateo Chiyawan (20,189).

Lacwasan was elected vice governor three years ago but assumed the provincial chief executive position by succession when then governor Leonard Mayaen died just as the election campaign was to start.

Vice governor Francis Tauli held on to his position when he overtook his opponents in an interesting race.

Tauli who was awarded the vice governorship in 2016 by way of succession being the most senior member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan got 29,020.

His closest pursuer Ezra Gomez had 27,611 votes while Raul Lapon accumulated 16,654 votes.

Winners for board member of District 1 were Federico Onsat-13,066 votes; Janice Liban-12,586; Alexandre Claver-11,434 and Joshua Fronda-11,267 on the top 4.

Winners for Board Member in District 2 were Henry Bastian-18,007 votes; Donato Danglose-17,864; Salvador Dalang-17,180 and Randy Awisan-16,983.

In an interview after his proclamation, Lacwasan said he welcomes efforts from other elected officials including those who did not make it to unite for the good of the province.

“There is no problem with that. Anyway, we are all politicians and we share the same vision for our people,” Lacwasan said when asked if he intends to work cooperatively with all those who won in the election.

In the capital town of Bontoc, mayor Franklin Odsey won after warding off the threat posed by Siegh Fred “Pitawen” Fatongkeg.

Other incumbent mayors who were re-elected were James “Payko” Pooten of Sagada, Abraham Akilit of Bauko and Johnson Bantog of Besao who ran unopposed.

Jose Limmayog of Sadangga and Genesis Changilan of Barlig were not as lucky when they were dislodged by former mayors whom they beat three years ago.

Sadanga’s Gabino Ganggangan and Barlig’s Clark Ngaya will retake their seats on July 1.

Another former mayor will be retaking his turf come July.

Former Tadian mayor Constito Masweng won over Rene del Amor and Ruben Bayugan.

Three municipalities will have first time mayors. Marcial Lawilao, Jr. defeated Rudy Mencion and Joey Dominguez to seat as the next mayor of Sabangan.

In Natonin Jose Agagon will take his oath on June 30 while Marcos Ayangwa will soon start his first term as mayor of Paracelis.

Elected vice mayors are: Bontoc –  Eusebio Kabluyen (unopposed), Sabangan – Dario Esden (unopposed), Natonin – Christopher Bayowan (unopposed), Paracelis – Lester Carlos, Barlig – David Osborn Fomocod, Sadanga – Albert Ayao-ao, Sagada – Felicito Dula, Besao – June Lopsoten, Tadian – Alfonso Polan and Bauko – Bartolome  Badecao.  

This as Cynthia Villar, Roland ‘Bato’ de la Rosa and Imee Marcos topped the list for the Senate in Mountain Province.

Lone candidate and uncontested mayoral candidate for Besao was incumbent mayor Johnson Bantog and incumbent June Lopsoten for vice mayor who won over Alfredo Beyden. 

Winning councilors in Besao among 21 candidates were  Butch Bacwaden, Joel Lacsigen, Elizabeth Buyagan, John Atinyag , padding Bing-il, Edna Kidangen, James Badonge Sr. and William Beswilan.

In Sagada, incumbent mayor James “Payko” Pooten Jr. won over engineerIsrael Dontogan and businesswoman Fely Omengan.

Incumbent councilor Felicito Dula who ran for vice mayor won over former vice mayor engineer Richard Yodong.

Winning Sagada councilors among 21 candidates were Paul Domoguen, Benjamin Capuyan, Felicito Lumbaya, Angel Beleo, Kapon Gomgom-o, Dave Gulian, David Buyagan, and Ezra Wadingan.

In Bontoc, incumbent mayor Franklin Odsey won over Sigfried Fatongkeg.

Unopposed incumbent Eusebio Kabluyen  is automatically the vice mayor.

Winning councilors of Bontoc among 18 contenders were Alsannyster Patingan, Viola Okko,  John Enggeg, Jerome Tudlong, Peter Kedawen, John Pelew, Robert Dacyon, and Esteban Nguddo.

In Tadian, former mayor Constito Masweng won the mayoral position over co-contenders Rene de Amor and  Ruben Bayogan; while  incumbent vice mayor Alfonso Polan  won over Gilbert Lao-ay.

Victorious councilors of Tadian among 24 candidates were William Ladiong, John Malamnao, Jane Saong, Jayne Bisen, Taxter Taclobao, Johnson Balaoas, Louie Buned and Juniper Kidit.

In nearby Bauko,   incumbent mayor Abraham Akilit beat Mario  Gaoken while  incumbent vice mayor Bartolome Badecao won over Ricky Samidan and Salvador Liked.

Winning councilors for Bauko were Ashley Sili, Simon Lacwasan, Sabado Pusan, Labor Masidong, Stanley Dangatan, Tomas Tanggacan , Cornelio Matias and  Arcadio Taganas.

In Sabangan, former Sangguniang Kabataan chairman and incumbent punong barangay Marcial Lawilao Jr. won over opponents  Rudy Mencion, Jowee Dominguez and Martin Budod for the  mayoralty race.

Vice mayor candidate Dario Esden ran unopposed. 

Winning councilors among 23 candidates of Sabangan were Henrico Boguilis, Hector Mantias, Roger Bas-ilen, Enrico Litilit, Fausto Ballakis, Wily Malamion, Thomas Begnaen and Crispin Altaki.

In Sadanga, comebacking former mayor Gabino Ganggangan beat Geraldo Ackut and Joe Limmayog. Winning as vice mayor was Albert Ayao-ao over Paul Farong-ey, Mario Galingan and incumbent vice mayor Joseph Apopot.

Winning councilors among 48 contenders in Sadanga were Dungpop Dawadeo, Juliet Chinalpan, Napoleon Sarang-ey,  DOminga Chaluyen, Rufina Chakiwag, Ruben Atiwen, Moises Agmeyeng, and Dimas Feng-ag.       

Comebacking former mayor Clark Ngayya of  Barlig outran incumbent mayor Genesis Changilan, Marlyn Agpawan and Rudy Longid while incumbent vice mayor David Osborn Fomocod  beat Simplicio Nabunat and Ayson Naulgan.

Winning councilors in Barlig among 27 contenders were Delio Focad, Johnson Ingson, Rolly Agyao, Benjie Sapguian, Rodrigo Layao, Abner Ayoga, Fernando Cablog and Rodrigo Awe.

In Natonin, candidate for mayor Jose Agagon beat Rafael Bulawe, Patrick Baguingan, Bernard Foryasen and Fernandez Linggayo for the mayoral post.

Unopposed Christopher Bayowan is vice mayor.

Winning councilors among 28 candidates in Natonin were Raymundo Lapasen, Jose Biangalen, Spassky Manayos, Jimmy Todco, Patricio Corcha, Jimmy Chumilang, Cornelio Tawaran and Rodofo Liwanen. 

Candidate for mayor of Paracelis Ayangwa Marcos won over Benjamin Manat while Lester Carlos got the vice mayorship over co-aspirant Lorenzo Carpio.

Emerging victorious among 27 councilors in Paracelis were Ruben Vicente, Lito Basungit ,  Marcelo Ambatali, Victorino Bannaue, John Banggolay, Ateneo Gusimat, GastonTodco and Marc Lappao.

Party lists PhilReca (Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association), ACT-CIS (Anti-Crime and Terrorism Community Involvement and Support) and Bayan Muna were among the top party lists voted in the province.