CALABARZON REGISTERS ELECTION SURPRISES

Region 4A Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) registered election surprises and scored big political upset unimaginable on the May 10, 2010 electoral exercise.

SURPRISES –

On the open contest for governorship of Cavite, Jonvic Remulla (NP) had beaten Dencito Campaña (LP), this even with solid backing of the outgoing governor to the latter. Earlier during 2007 elections Remulla lost to Campaña in the vice governatorial race.

Now subject for serious analysis by the observers was the upsurge of Pansanjan Mayor Emilio ER Ejercito for Laguna governorship beating the well-oiled political machinery of the incumbent governor’s son and provincial administrator Dennis S. Lazaro, the experience of former senator, secretary and governor Jose Lina, and the influence of current vice-governor Ramil Hernandez.

All four Laguna congressmen were reelected by wide margin over their opponents namely Cong. Dan Fernandez, 1st District; Timmy Chipeco, 2nd District; Cong. Maria Evita Arago, 3rd District and unopposed Cong. Edgar San Luis, 4th District.

Reelected Lucena Mayor Ramon Y. Talaga refused to be proclaimed while awaiting the decision on his petition to the COMELEC that he be replaced by his wife Ruby in his certificate of candidacy.

WOMEN POWER

Garnering 90% of the votes cast, Dasmariñas City Mayor Jennifer Borzaga took the honor of being the first elected city mayor of the locality, sharing it with reelected Biñan Mayor Lenlen Alonte-Naguit as ABC President Vilma A. Dimacuha became the first elected lady city mayor of Batangas City.

Actress Lani Mercado Revilla meanwhile was elected congresswoman of the newly created Cavite’s 2nd district.

Also reelected were Laguna 3rd District Rep. Maria Evita Arago, Sta. Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas Nazareno, Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto and Tanauan City Mayor Sonia T. Aquino.

The short list of women to exercise power by virtue of peoples’ mandate are San Pablo City elected vice-mayor Angie Yang, Laguna provincial legislator actress Angelica Jones Alarva with Quezon’s Alona Obispo, Techie Dator, Lourdes de Luna-Pasatiempo, Rachel Urbana and others not yet known to this paper.

POLITICAL UPSET

The greatest political upset was courtesy of incumbent Quezon Gov. Rafael P. Nantes (LP) who succumbed to challenger former vice-governor and Asec David Suarez by a margin of 64,566 votes.

Political observers found it hard analyzing what struck Nantes’ candidacy considering his prominence in the province politics.

Last termer Cavite Governor Ayong Maliksi succeeded in his quest for the province 3rd congressional district but his son incumbent Imus Mayor Manny Maliksi was not as lucky in his reelection bid and lost to challenger Homer Saquilayan.

In Laguna some noteworthy upset were scored against Sta. Cruz Mayor Ariel Magcalas who came in third in a three cornered fight won by former mayor and incumbent board member Dennis Panganiban, Raul Gonzales overtaking incumbent Victoria Mayor Dwight Kampitan, challenger Antonio Carolino defeating Sta. Maria Mayor Joel Cuento and vice mayor Antonio Aurelio putting an end to decade old administration of Mayor Rolen Urriquia at Rizal, Laguna.

ON THE SAME LEAGUE

On the same league with Lakas Kampi presidential bet Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro who performed poorly at the polls because of Malacañang shadows cast on his shoulder were former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita who lost to Tomas Apacible as congressman for Batangas First District and former DOJ Sec. Agnes Devanadera losing by a wide margin to Quezon District 1 Cong. Mark Enverga.

Like any other, their long years of association with the president paid a price so dearly that gave them negative response from the electorate, causing them total plunge on the recent electoral exercise.

OLD RELIABLES

If some were unlucky, few stood firm on the ground to withstand the trend and relied on their solid performance in office. Reelected for their last term as city executive were old reliables San Pablo City Mayor Vicente B. Amante and Calamba City Mayor Joaquin M. Chipeco Jr.