DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 11 May) – At least 133 candidates in Mindanao are already winners even before voters troop to the polls on Monday, May 13: they are all running unopposed.
MindaNews checked on the records of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and found 133 running unopposed: three tandems of Governors and Vice Governors, one candidate for Vice Governor, nine representatives to Congress, two reelectionist city mayors, three city vice mayors, 56 municipal mayors and 56 municipal vice mayors.
This number is based only on one-name-per-position as filed before the Comelec. It would be more if we are to add those with opponents who stand no chance at winning like security guard Magdaleno Marcellones against reelectionist mayor Sara Duterte (HnP) in Davao City and laborer Susana Uyanguren and jeepney driver Rex Labis against 1st district Representative bet Paolo Duterte (HnP), also in Davao City. Their brother, Sebastian (HnP), who is entering politics for the first time, is already a winner as he is running unopposed as Vice Mayor. And so are the two comebacking representatives: Vincent Garcia (HnP of the 2nd district and Isidro Ungab (HnP) of the 3rd district, who are taking over the seats from their siblings.
Reelectionist Mayor Sara Duterte and her brother Sebastian attend the miting de avance of Hugpong ng Pagbabago local candidates at the Almendras Gym in Davao City on Friday night, 10 May 2019. Another sibling, Paolo, is running for 1st district representative. MIndaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO
The other sure winners are reelectionist governor and vice governors of Compostela Valley (Jayvee Tyron Uy and Maricar Zamora), Davao Occidental (Claude Bautista and brother Franklin) and Davao Oriental (Nelson Dayanghirang and Niño Sotero Lopez Uy) all of them running under the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HnP) regional party headed by Presidential daughter and Davao City mayor Sara Duterte.
Lambayong Mayor Ramon Abalos of Sultan Kudarat province is running unopposed for the post of Vice Governor.
Reelectionist Rep. Corazon Malanyaon, who served as Governor of Davao Oriental from 2007 to 2016 and before that as two-term representative (2001 to 2007), is also unchallenged in the first district as is reelectionist Joel Mayo Almario of the 2nd district, who was representative of the district from 1998 to 2007 and won another term for 2016 to 2019.
(L-R): Davao Oriental Gov. Nelson Dayanghing, Davao Occidental Gov. Claude Baustista, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Davao del Norte Gov. Anthony del Rosario, and Compostela Valley Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy as they announce the creation of the new regional party in the Davao Region, Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) on February 23, 2018. MindaNews photo by ANTONIO L. COLINA IV
In Davao Occidental, the Bautistas’ sister, Lorna Bautista-Bandigan is seeking a second term as Representative.
In Compostela Valley, Ruwel Peter Gonzaga is running unopposed in the second district but in the first district, Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora is running against Tito Franco.
Aside from Malanyaon, Almario, Bandigan and Gonzaga, the other representatives whose names appear as the lone candidate in their respective districts are: Manuel Zubiri of the 3rd district of Bukidnon; Davao City’s 2nd district bet Vincent Garcia and 3rd district bet Isidro Ungab; North Cotabato’s 3rd district Rep. Jose Tejada; and Sultan Kudarat’s 1st district bet, Raden Sakaluran, who wants to return as Representative.
Zubiri and Tejada are both seeking third terms. Garcia and Ungab were former representatives of their districts – Garcia from 2001 to 2010 and Ungab from 2007 to 2016.
Sakaluran was representative from 2010 to 2016.
The candidates for mayor and vice mayor who are running unopposed and are already winners are:
Agusan del Sur: Symond “Monmon” Caguiat and running mate, Richard Plaza, in Santa Josefa, both of NUP.
Running unopposed for vice mayor are Eric Rey Siohan of Esperanza and Felimon Marte of Trento, both of NUP.
Basilan: Alih Sali of Akbar and running mate, Raiza Sali; and Rosita Furigay of Lamitan City and running mate, Roderick Furigay, all under PDP.
Bukidnon: Renante “Dodong” Inocando and running mate Lolita Obsioma in Cabanglasan; Fruto Dandasan and Edilberto Ayuban in Dangcagan; Anthony “Cheche” Uy in Impasug-ong; Jerry Canoy Sr. and Helbert Jovellar in Kadilingan; Erne Devibar and Sulpicio Gallano in Lantapan; Miguel Silva, Jr. and Manolito Garces in Pangantucan; Levi Edma Sr. and Norberto Catalan in San Fernando – all running under BPP (Bukidnon Paglaum Party).
Also running unopposed for Vice Mayor are Edwin Abucayan in Kitaotao; Leonardo Genesis Calingasan in Libona, Warren Pabillaran in Malaybalay City, Cindy Evangelista Aritrangco in Malitbog, Joseph Durotan in Quezon and Amado Noble Jr. in Talakag, all under BPP.
Camiguin: Rogerio Acle in Mahinog and running mate, Lawrence Tan; Elvis Roxas of Guinsiliban and Nestor Tongol, all from PDP.
Compostela Valley: Lema Bolo of Compostela; Reynaldo Dayanghirang of Mabini
(Dona Alicia) and running mate Amir Munoz; Alvera Veronica Rimando of Maco and running mate Voltaire Rimando; Larie Pagalan of New Bataan; and Roberto Yugo of Pantukan. All running under HNP.
Rodel Balili of Nabunturan (HnP) is also running for vice mayor, unopposed.
Davao del Sur: Arthur Davin in Magsaysay town and running mate Donnabel Mejia; and Jose Sagarino in Sulop and running mate Willie Villegas, all under HnP.
Davao Occidental: Michael Maruya and Bradly Bautista of Malita and running mate Estefanie Bautista, both under HnP.
Davao Oriental: Ramona Olea (NP) of Baganga; Dowell Rosit (NP) of Boston, Erlinda Nuñez (NP) of Cateel and Nestor Uy (HNP) of Tarragona. Nunez’ running mate, Camilo Nunez, is also unopposed.
Dinagat Islands: Lamberto “Sonny” Llamera (PDP) in Libjo (formerlyAlbor).
Lanao del Norte: Oscar Tagalog (PDP) in Baroy and Haron Omar (PDP) in Magsaysay are running unopposed for mayor, and so are Mohammad Lantud (PFP) and running mate Lacson Lantud in Pantao Ragat.
Also running unopposed for Vice Mayor are Jaber Azis of Matungao and Ulwan Dimaporo in Sultan Naga Dimaporo, both of PDP.
Lanao del Sur: Jamal Manabilang (Lakas-CMD) and running mate Saidi Manabilang (PDP) in Amai Manabilang (formerly Bumbaran); Dagoran Mindalano and Jalani Mindalano of Madamba, both under Lakas-CMD.
Shainollah Eppie (Lakas-CMD in Kapai and London Dagalangit in Lumbabayabao (formerly Maguing) are running without opponents as Vice Mayor.
In Maguindanao, 12 of its 36 towns have sure winning tandems of mayor and vice mayor, mostly in towns named after their clans: Baileah Sangki (PDP) and running mate Bai Yasmin Mangudadatu in Ampatuan; Babydats Mangudadatu (Lakas-CMD) and Ramlah Kadalim in Buluan; Maryjoy Estephanie Midtimbang (NP) and Datu Jomar Midtimbang in Datu Anggal; and PDP’s Datu Marshall Ibrahim Sinsuat and Raida Sinsuat in Datu Blah Sinsuat; Datu Ombra Quesada Sinsuat and Cheryl Mary Rose Ann Lu-Sinsuat in Datu Odin Sinsuat; Abubakar Paglas and Mohamad Paglas, Sr. in Datu Paglas; Midpantao Midtimbang Jr. and Tawakal Midtimbang in Guindulungan; Datu Rahaf “Salaban” Diocolano and Datu Rahaf Diocolanao in Kabuntalan; Elizabeth Mangudadatu Tayuan and Prince Mosafeer Mangudadatu Dilangelin in Mangudadatu; Zihan Mamalinta Mangudadatu and Dante Mamalinta in Pandag; Shameem Biruar Mastura and Norhaina Malik in Sultan Kudarat; and Rauf Talib Mastura and Julhani Tumbas, Jr. in Sultan Mastura.
Abdulkarim Langkuno in Paglat is running unopposed for mayor while
Alexis Platon of Upi has no opponent for vice mayor. Both are running under PDP
In Misamis Occidental, running unopposed for mayor and vice mayor are Samson Dumanjug and Evelyn Dumanjug (boht under NP) in Bonifacio town.
Also running unopposed for mayor are Jesus Alisasis (NP) in Banisilan, North Cotabato and Dibu Tuan (NPC) in T’boli, South Cotabato.
In Sultan Kudarat sure winners for the mayoralty are Edwin Bermudez (PDP) in Columbio; Francis Recinto in Lambayong (formerly Mariano Marcos) (PDP); and Ruth Mangudadatu Sakaluran (PDP) in Lutayan.
In Sulu, Mohammad Mustafa Burahan (PDP) and running mate Nasia Galib in Hadji Panglima Tahil (formerly Marunggas); and Whajid Indanan Sahidulla (PFP) and running mate Denrasher Abdilla in Tongkil (PFP) are also running unopposed.
in Surigao del Norte, Richelle Brandino Romarate (PDP) in Tubod; and in Surigao del Sur, Maria Clarita “Barbie” Limbaro (PDP) in Bayabas; Jessie Valle (Lakas-CMD) in Carrascal; Libertad Alameda (PDP) in San Agustin; Alexander Ty Pimentel (PDP) in Tandag City; and in Tawi-Tawi, Abduhasan Sali (NUP) and running mate Abubashar Matba in Languyan.
Also running unopposed for Vice Mayor are Sebastian Duterte (HnP) in Davao City; Petnel Sombrado (LP) in Dinagat in the province of Dinagat Islands; Ronnel Espanol (PCM) in Alabel, Sarangani; Glenn Hatulan (PDP) in Tupi, South Cotabato; Amirh Musali (PDP) in Columbio and Noel Antonio (PDP) in Lutayan, Sultan Kudarat; Mamerta Milo (PDP) in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur; and Remberto Sotto (PDP) in Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)
