By Freddie Lazaro
LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte –The Marcos clan came up with the biggest set of winners in the provincial elections.
Joining newly elected Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc is Vice Governor-elect Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, who won by a landslide, and incumbent Ilocos Norte Vice Gov. Eugenio Angelo Marcos Barba, who was elected as the representative of the 2nd District of Ilocos Norte with 87,725 votes.
Manotoc, the youngest son of the outgoing Governor Imee R. Marcos, was unopposed after his rival, Ilocos Norte First District
Representative Rudy Fariñas, withdrew. He obtained 260,938 votes.
Among the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Medeldorf Gaoat of 2nd District obtained the highest number of votes with 76,045.
Joining him are: 1st District Board Members Franklin Dante Respicio (73,943), Saul Lazo (68,758), Portia Salenda (66,709), and Donald Nicolas (64,768), and 2nd District Board Members Domingo Ambrocio, Jr. (73,558), Da Vinci Crisostomo (71,701), and James Paul Nalupta (65,306).
Completing the set of provincial officials are winning candidates from the other political parties: Ria Fariñas, who was elected as representative of the 1st District, Rodolfo Chris Fariñas, 1st District Board Member, and Aladine Santos, 2nd District Board Member.
The newly elected national and local government officials will officially take office after their inauguration on June 30.
In a press interview, Manotoc laid out some of the priorities of his administration.
“I think the most pressing na nakikita ko ay healthcare centers. Many of our hospitals and medical services aren’t where they should be. That’s one of my priorities coming into my term, especially our public hospitals – equipping them and finding ways that they are self-sufficient, so they don’t need to lean to the Provincial Government much,” he said.
When Manotoc was asked about the difference between his leadership compared to Governor Marcos, he answered: “I think my youth is the biggest factor. Nowadays, leadership is a little more collaborative. Siguro that’s one difference. I’ll be a little more collaborative with my staff, try to listen to everyone, and work with people.”
In the same breath, Manotoc expressed appreciation for his mother whom he described as a “very strong leader.” This kind of “strength,” the governor-elect said, can be useful in governance.
He thanked the Solid North and Ilocanos around the globe who unfailingly support the Marcos clan, starting from his grandfather, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, down to his generation.