Villafuerte seeks unity in Camarines Sur

INCOMING Camarines Sur governor and current 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte thanked the voters for giving him another mandate as he sought unity and reconciliation with his political rivals.

In a statement on Thursday, Villafuerte said that the victories of his family and their allies in the May 12 midterm elections was "an overwhelming vote of confidence by CamSur's electorate that favors continuity for local officials to keep the province's growth trajectory.

"The midterm polls are over — and so is the partisanship," said Villafuerte. "Now is a time for unity and collaborative effort for all sectors to work on sustaining and even boosting CamSur's growth and development."

"My family and I thank our voters for their continued trust and confidence in giving us another electoral mandate to serve them for another three years," added Villafuerte.

The new governor said he is humbled by the "rare opportunity" to be given another chance by his provincemates to serve them.

"Not everyone is blessed to have another shot, such that I commit to pay forward our voters for their continuing trust and confidence by working even harder on pursuing sustainable and inclusive growth for our province — and on putting up the biggest tent possible to take in all sectors willing and able to make this happen," said Villafuerte.

According to Villafuerte, their clan and their allies are hoping their rivals will join them in their effort to keep the province's agenda for "robust, inclusive and sustainable growth and development in the second half of the Marcos presidency and onwards" on track.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaimed Villafuerte as the winner in the gubernatorial race against Ronald "Bong" Rodriguez, the former regional campaign manager of former vice president and now Naga City Mayor-elect Leni Robredo.

The Comelec also proclaimed Miguel Luis "Migz" Villafuerte as the winner of the congressional race for the province's fifth district seat versus Phil Fortuno, and outgoing Gov. Vincenzo Renato Luigi Villafuerte as the winner in the second district seat against Fermin Mabulo.

First District Rep. Tsyuoshi Anthony Horibata, another ally of the Villafuertes, also won against Thaddy Ramos.

The only loss the Villafuerte group suffered is in the race for fourth district won by Arnie Fuentebella against actor Marco Gumabao. Former Naga City mayor Nelson Legacion won in the third district.