Former vice governor Emilio “Dino” Yulo defeated incumbent Rep. Marilou Arroyo for the fifth congressional seat of Negros Occidental.
The Provincial Board of Canvassers proclaimed Yulo and two other winning congressmen – Rep. Francisco Benitez of the 3rd District and Alfredo Marañon III of the 2nd District winners at the Capitol in Bacolod City on Tuesday, May 10.
Yulo won with 118,558 votes, while Arroyo garnered 76,115 votes.
Arroyo, sister-in-law of former President Gloria Arroyo and sister of the late Rep. Ignacio Arroyo, in a statement posted on her Facebook page said: “I have been blessed as only a few people ever have, to represent the people of the 5th district. God knows I tried my best to serve you the best way I can. The people have clearly spoken. Let us respect the will of the people”.
She congratulated Yulo for his win, wished him all the best, and thanked all those who supported her.
It was a surprise defeat as all the mayors of the fifth district had committed to support her.
Yulo, who did not expect such a wide lead, thanked the residents of the fifth district for enabling him to win.
Among his priorities in the restoration of the Negros Island Region, Yulo said, pointing out that five local government units in the fifth district of Negros Occidental have borders with six LGUs on the Negros Oriental side.
Opening up more gateways will further develop agriculture, tourism and in effect the economy of the fifth district, Yulo said.
Yulo said he is reaching out to Arroyo for them to work together.
BENITEZ
Benitez was reelected representative of the 3rd District of Negros Occidental with 204,301 votes against Bernard Ferraris who garnered
16,967 votes.
He thanked the people of the third district for their trust and support.
“We will continue our service for the progress of the third district…Let us come together after the elections to work together for our common interest and for the greater good,” he said.
MARAÑON
Marañon who ran unopposed won the second congressional seat with 113,988 votes.
The Provincial Board of Canvasser proclaimed him winner in the presence of incoming Sagay Mayor Narwin Javelosa, Rep. Leo Rafael Cueva, Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante and Manapla Mayor Manuel Escalante.
Also proclaimed winning board members on Tuesday were Sixto Guanzon Jr. and Samson Mirhan – second district, Andrew Montelibano and Manuel Frederick Ko – second district, and Rita Gatuslao and Anton Occeño – 5th District.
Other winning representatives not proclaimed as of this writing were Gerardo Valmayor – 1st District, Juliet Marie Ferrer- 4th District and Mercedes Alvarez- 6th District.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer and the rest of the winning provincial officials are expected to be proclaimed Wednesday morning.*