OBTAINING a total of 31,741 votes, incumbent Laoag City Mayor Michael V. Fariñas was elected into his second term as his closest rival in the mayoralty post in the May midterm election, former police Gen. Rowland Albano could only muster 11,140 votes. Fariñas, along with the other election winners were proclaimed on May 16 by city election officer John Pail Martin. Fariñas’ running mate, Edward P. Domingo also won the vice mayoralty post, garnering 29,600 votes as against his opponent Laoag Councilor Primo Jay S. Ramos’ 12,108 votes. The new set of councilors was also dominated by Fariñas’ party, winning seven of the 10 available seats. They were lead by re-electionist Councilor Juan Conrado A. Respicio II, Sonia B. Siazon, Donald Nicolas, Joseph Tamayo, Derick Lao, Manolito Carag, and Francis Dacuycuy. Oppositionist Councilors Vicentito M. Lazo, Constante F. Dancel Jr. and Edison Chua also made it to the magic 10. Meanwhile, re-electionist councilors Rafael Christian F. Peralta and Modesto Melvin M. dela Cuesta, both from Fariñas party, could only finish 11th and 15th in the canvassing while another re-electionist councilor from the opposition, John P. Cabarrubias placed 12th. Councilor Conchita Blanco, wife of the late former Councilor Ruben P. Blanco was at 18th place. Reacting to the result of the election, Fariñas expressed his heartfelt thanks to the people of Laoag, especially to those who again gave their trust and confidence in him to serve for another three years. With a 7-3 majority in the council, Fariñas said he expects a better relationship between the city’s executive and legislative bodies in the next three years. The re-elected mayor also disclosed that even before the election, all candidates under his party vowed to support his administration’s program, projects and activities for the betterment of the city and its people. “Ti sibubukel a pamilyak, agyaman kami iti amin a suporta nga inted yo ket ikarigatak a dobliyen daytoy inted yo a kawes kaniak,” Fariñas said. Fariñas also expressed his congratulations to members of the opposition who were re-elected as he extended his hand for reconciliation. He said he is hopeful that with the end of the elections, politicking would also end now as they all gear towards working hand-in-hand for the betterment of the city. He also vowed that all major projects that he envisions and that would be of great help to the people of Laoag, such as the Northern Hospital which was not acted upon by the city council, would push through in the future. Relative to this, Fariñas said he was also expecting complaints against him fro the other party. ”Pammigat, pangaldaw, pang-rabii. I have faith in God and I believe these will all be overcome,” Fariñas said in reaction to the petition for disqualification filed against him by defeated mayoralty candidate Albano. Atty. Emil Doloroso, Fariñas’ legal counsel, disclosed that the other camp has indeed filed a disqualification case against Fariñas but said this would not affect the proclamation. According to Doloroso, the complaint included campaign expenditures and alleged vote buying. Meanwhile, several supporters of Albano staged a candlelight protest at the Provincial Capitol outdoor stage claiming they were cheated. Dominic B. dela Cruz
|
|