ZAMBOANGA CITY - Young leaders here finally earned the nod of the electorate after toppling long-time traditional politicians during the May 9 polls.
John Dalipe, a 37-year old city councilor, put one over on seasoned politician and Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino bet Celso Lobregat, garnering 130, 940 votes to win the top position in Zamboanga City.
Lobregat is a former mayor and congressman who served Zamboanga City for the past two decades.
Another councilor, Khymer Olaso, received 73,785 votes to defeat a formidable opponent in Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar with 73,785 votes for the congressional seat in the first district of Zamboanga Del Sur.
Salazar is a veteran politician for the past 20 years. She ran for first district representative after completing three terms as Zamboanga mayor.
Congressman Mannix Dalipe representing Zamboanga’s Second District, kept the position after receiving 88,784 votes.
Councilor Josephine Pareja, a last termer at the City Council, was successful in her bid to run for vice mayor after obtaining 98,270 votes.
They were proclaimed by the Commission on Elections, along with councilors Litlit Macrohon, El King Omaga, Joey Papaya Santos, Boday Cabato, Dan Vicente, Charlie Mariano, Gerky Valesco, and Joel Esteban for district 1; and Vino Guingona, James Siason, Lilibeth Nuño, VP Elago, Jimmy Villaflores, Fred Atilano, Jihan Edding and Eddie Saavedra for District 2.
The Board of Election Canvassers is composed of the Commission on Elections District Election Officer Atty. Stephen Roy Cañete, the chairman; Atty. Katrina Acana, vice chairperson; and Dr. Roy Tuballa, Schools Division Superintendent, board secretary.
Zamboanga city has 120 polling centers with 638 voting precincts. There are 299 precincts for district 1 and 339 for district 2.