Lacson credits win to hard work, service

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BACOLOD CITY — A recognition of his hard work and sincerity of his service.

That's how Eugenio Jose Lacson described his landslide win in the gubernatorial derby in Negros Occidental during Monday's local election (May 12).

"This overwhelming show of support, given to me by our people, is as humbling as it is affirming," said Lacson, referring to his victory, which enabled him to keep the governorship of Negros Occidental, one of the three provinces of the newly created Negros Island Region.

"To me, it means that my fellow Negrenses have recognized our hard work and felt the sincerity of our service," added Lacson.

The Provincial Board of Canvassers, chaired by Provincial Election Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria, proclaimed Lacson as the duly elected governor on Tuesday, May 13.

Lacson garnered 911,614 votes in a landslide victory against former Victorias City mayor Wantan Palanca, who mustered just 67,694 votes.

The governor thanked the Negrenses for their unwavering trust and confidence.

"This victory is a testament to our shared hopes and aspirations — not only for a mandate grounded in the trust of the people, but also for a leadership that is dependable, transparent, honorable, and guided by strong moral principles," said Lacson.

Bacolod city winners

The trio of Alfredo Benitez, Greg Gasataya, and Kalaw Puentevella, collectively known as AGreKa, solidified their hold on the political reins of Bacolod City after they were declared winners early Tuesday morning.

Benitez won the congressional race with 164,145 votes against his closest rival, former mayor Evelio Leonardia, who got 119,421 votes.

Gasataya, the outgoing congressman of the lone district of Bacolod, got 157,180 votes against incumbent Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, who had 143,307 votes.

Puentevella, an incumbent councilor, got 146,639 votes, while rival fellow councilor Renecito Novero had 133,706 votes.

For councilors, Team Asenso Bacolod, led by the three winners, clinched 11 slots for city council.

The members of the City Board of Canvassers (CBOC), led by its chairman, acting Bacolod election officer Revo Sorbito, also proclaimed 12 winning councilors, including Caesar Distrito, Israel Salanga, Em Ang, Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Jason Villarosa, Celia Flor, Dindo Ramos, Roberto Rojas, Wilson Gamboa, Pao Sy, Homer Bais, and Al Espino, at 3:20 a.m. Tuesday, May 13.

Salangaz Ang, Sayson, Villarosa, Flor, Sy and Espino are returning councilors.

Distrito, Gamboa, Bais and Rojas are former councilors who are returning to the city council.

Only Gamboa from rival Team El Cid made it to the win column.

Bacolod City has a voting population of 355,880 in 398 polling precincts.

The Commission on Elections reported a voter turnout of 309,413 voters, or 86.94 percent, in Bacolod City.

Negros Occidental, the province with the 6th largest voting population in the country, has 2,001,732 voters.

There were 785 aspirants running for 369 posts in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City in Monday's polls.

'High-turnout'

The Comelec in the NIR reported on Wednesday a "high turnout of voters" on May 12, Jossil Romero Macute, Comelec-NIR assistant regional election, said on Wednesday.

Macute said that Negros Occidental reported a voter turnout of 1,369,632 or 83.22 percent; Negros Oriental at 831,963 or 85.23 percent; and Siquijor, 74,758 voters or 91.84 percent.