The patriarch of the ruling clan in Quezon, Gov. Danilo Suarez, will soon relinquish his post to Fourth District Rep. Angelina “Helen” Tan, who is poised to become the first woman governor of the Southern Luzon province.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) board of canvassers led by lawyer Allan Enriquez proclaimed on Wednesday afternoon the winners in the recently concluded national and local elections, right after the last results came in from Gen. Nakar town.
The proclamation was held at the provincial council session hall in this city. Tan received 790,739 votes, toppling Suarez who garnered 320,395 votes.
Tan’s vice-gubernatorial running mate, Anacleto “Third” Alcala, also won with 665, 570 votes over Betty Nantes who registered 283,588. Alcala is the acting vice mayor of Lucena City.
Meanwhile, incumbent First District Rep. Mark Enverga retains his position, prevailing with his 227,368 votes over his nearest rival, Techie Dator who got 32,841 votes.
In the Second District, incumbent Rep. David “JayJay” Suarez beat his second-time rival, former Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala after getting 207,836 over the latter’s 173, 639.
Another Suarez, the incumbent governor’s wife Aleta, who currently serves as representative of the Third District, failed to win this year’s polls. Reynante Arrogancia, an incumbent provincial board member, prevailed over her, garnering 122,379 votes against Suarez’s 76,174.
On the other hand, Tan’s youngest son, lawyer Mike Tan, will take over the helm at the Fourth District covering the so-called Bondoc Peninsula, having received 166,591 against provincial board member Adhoray Tan’s 46,863 votes.
Quezon province has 1.4 million registered voters from its 39 municipalities and two cities. (PNA)