Most of the incumbent provincial and municipal officials in Benguet will return to serve the public for the next three years after winning in the May 9 polls.
From being a caretaker, Eric Go Yap will be the province’s representative to the Lower House after he garnered 123,801 votes while his closest rival, Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan, got 71,200 votes.
Incumbent Gov. Melchor Diclas also got half of Benguet voters with 112,345 votes while Board Member Robert Namoro got 64,187 votes out of the 209,228 total residents who casted their votes.
Newcomer Ericson “Tagel” Felipe will sit as vice governor after he amassed 101,276 votes, edging incumbent Vice Gov. Johnny Waguis, who got 68,681 votes.
Elected board members for District 1 are Johannes Amuasen with 29,938 votes followed by incumbent BMs Sander Fianza with 28,992 votes; Florencio Bentrez with 28,821; and Juan Nazarro with 23,753 votes.
Those who will sit as board members for District 2 are Marierose Fongwan-Kepes with 61,195 votes followed by incumbent BMs Fernando Balaodan with 42,218 votes; Roberto Canuto with 41,680 votes; Ruben Paoad with 38,392 votes; and Neptali Camsol with 36,415 votes.
Joel Tingbaoen Jr., son of the late famous musician, Joel Sr., ranked fifth with 36,745 votes.
In the municipal level, there will be five each newly-proclaimed mayors and vice mayors, amongst the rest who will continue their service.
Atok will have a new mayor in incumbent Councilor Franklin Smith together with incumbent Vice Mayor Angelito Galao Sr. while Bakun’s incumbent Mayor Bill Raymundo retained his post while the town has a new vice mayor, Talbino Labinio.
Bokod will remain under incumbent Mayor Thomas Wales, Jr. while having a new vice mayor in Councilor Erik Donn Ignacio.
In Buguias, incumbent Mayor Ruben Tinda-an and Vice Mayor Dione Baucas retained their posts.
In Itogon, incumbent Board Member Bernard Waclin and incumbent Councilor Dax Godio were proclaimed mayor and vice mayor, respectively.
In Kabayan, neophyte politician Florante “Jun” Bantales, Jr. won as mayor while Councilor Mike Badival will serve as vice mayor on July 1.
Kapangan has retained current Mayor Manny Fermin and Vice Mayor Mayo Eslay while Kibungan voted for incumbent Mayor Cesar Molitas and Vice Mayor Edwin Nitron.
In Mankayan, former vice mayor Dario Banario won as mayor while incumbent Councilor Julio Culliao was elected vice mayor.
The tandem of incumbent Mayor Romeo Salda and Vice Mayor Roderick Awingan will serve another three years in La Trinidad, which is also the same case in Tuba with incumbent Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan and Vice Mayor Maria Carantes.
Sablan has a new mayor in Councilor Alfredo Dacumos, Jr. and has retained incumbent Vice Mayor Arthur Baldo.
In Tublay, voters have reelected Mayor Armando Lauro and Vice Mayor Juan Esnara. – Ofelia C. Empian
