MANILA, Philippines – Running unopposed, 61 local candidates in the Ilocos region only need to vote for themselves to be proclaimed winners by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the May 13 midterm elections.
In the congressional race, however, only reelectionist La Union Rep. Pablo Ortega has no challenger, according to Comelec records.
Topping the list in the region is Ilocos Sur province, with 10 mayoral and 12 vice mayoral candidates who have no opponents. In the towns of Bantay and San Vicente, all candidates of Bileg ti Ilocano Party are unopposed.
In Ilocos Sur, unopposed candidates are those for mayor of the towns of Bantay, Cervantes, Magsingal, Nagbukel, Salcedo, San Ildefonso, Santa Cruz, Santo Domingo, San Vicente and Vigan City.
Also running unchallenged are the vice mayoral candidates in the towns of Bantay, Alilem, Candon City, Magsingal, Nagbukel, Salcedo, San Ildefonso, Santa Cruz, Santo Domingo, San Vicente, Suyo and Vigan City.
In Ilocos Norte province, running unopposed are the candidates for mayor in Bangui, Burgos, Dumalneg and San Nicolas.
No challengers
Also unopposed are the candidates for vice mayor are in Bangui, Banna, Burgos, Dumalneg, Nueva Era, San Nicolas and Vintar.
In La Union province, only the reelectionist mayor of Rosario town is unopposed while the candidates for vice mayor in Bacnotan, Bangar and San Fernando City have no opponents.
In Pangasinan province, the uncontested mayoral races are in the towns of Malasiqui, San Manuel, San Quintin and Tayug while the vice mayoral candidates in Dasol, San Manuel and Tayug are unopposed.
With no challengers, the reelectionist mayors of Cauayan City and Cabatuan in Isabela province are sure winners.
The four reelectionist mayors of Asipulo, Aguinaldo, Hingyon and Lamut in Ifugao province are unopposed.
In Mountain Province, the unopposed candidates are the reelectionist mayor of Besao and the vice mayors of Bontoc and Sabangan and the vice mayoral candidate in Natonin.
In Kalinga province, Pasil’s mayor, the lone candidate, will keep his post.
Running unopposed in Abra province are Boliney’s mayor and vice mayor, Bucay’s vice mayor, Luba’s mayor and vice mayor, San Isidro’s mayor and vice mayor, the mayor of San Quintin, Tubo’s mayor and vice mayor, San Juan’s mayor, and Villaviciosa’s mayor and vice mayor.
Also unopposed in the vice mayoral race in Daguioman is its outgoing mayor while San Juan has only one candidate for vice mayor.
Most of the incumbent officials in Apayao province are sure winners as they are running unopposed.
Reelectionist mayors and vice mayors in four of seven towns in Apayao—Calanasan, Flora, Luna and Pudtol—have no opponents.
In Kabugao town, the vice mayor is running unopposed for mayor while and the outgoing mayor is the lone candidate for vice mayor.
In the bag
In Nueva Ecija province, unopposed mayoral candidates include those in the towns of Quezon, Santa Rosa, Gapan City, Licab and Rizal.
The outgoing Pampanga governor, Lilia Pineda, is running unopposed for vice governor. She was also unopposed in 2013 and 2016.
In Pampanga’s mayoral races, only the candidate in Lubao has no rival.
Also unopposed are the vice mayoral candidates in Lubao, Mexico and Macabebe.
In Bataan province, three Garcias are running unopposed—Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia III, Vice Gov. Cristina Garcia and Balanga City Mayor Francis Anthony Garcia.
Balanga City’s vice mayor is also unopposed.
The reelectionist mayor of Orani and his running mate have no opponents.
In Bulacan province, the former mayor of Plaridel is running unopposed as are the reelectionist mayors of Pulilan and Calumpit.
Meycauayan’s mayor has no rival for the fourth district congressional seat while his wife is running for mayor unopposed.
Tarlac’s reelectionist governor and the first district congressman are also running unopposed.
San Jose’s mayor and vice mayor have no opponents. —REPORTS FROM GABRIEL CARDINOZA, VILLAMOR VISAYA JR., VALERIE DAMIAN, ARMAND GALANG, TONETTE OREJAS, GREG REFRACCION, CARMELA REYES-ESTROPE AND MARIA ADELAIDA CALAYAG INQ