Suspended Catanduanes gov gets reelected
LEGAZPI CITY — Despite a six-month preventive suspension slapped at him by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in January for allegations of abuse of authority, incumbent Catanduanes Governor Joseph Cua won his re-election bid with a big margin over his three political rivals.
Partial and unofficial count from the Commission and Elections (Comelec) and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) as of 3 p.m. Tuesday revealed that Cua garnered 85,306 votes, besting his closest rival, incumbent Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento (PDPLBN), who got 59,841 votes.
Other Catanduanes gubernatorial hopefuls Fernando Chavez garnered 1,212 votes and Marlon Suplig (Lakas) with only 1,184 votes.
Cua, in an interview, expressed his thanks to his constituency for the overwhelming support extended to him despite the issues against him.
Cua was placed under preventive suspension since January 11 based on a directive of the DILG after the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon released a suspension order in connection to a complaint filed by Rey Mendez in September 2018.
Mendez filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman in 2018 against Cua and Bato town Mayor Eulogio Rodriguez for alleged abuse of authority, conduct prejudicial
to the interest of public service, dishonesty, and grave misconduct.
Mendez complained that Cua allowed E.R Construction, allegedly owned by Rodriguez’s wife, to use a vacant government lot without authority from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Meanwhile, Sherley Abundo (PFP) won the vice gubernatorial post by a landslide, receiving 104,376 votes against Roderick Tapel (NPC) who got 10,999 votes followed by Emmanuel Rodulfor (Ind) with 7,041 votes.
In the congressional race, former governor Hector Sanchez (Ind) won in a close fight over his three rivals. Sanchez bagged 56,638 votes, while former Gov. Araceli Wong (NP) got 44,204, Jorge Sarmiento (Kusog Bicolandia) got 40,774, and Joseph Santiago (NPC) had only 5,600 votes. (Editor: Leti Z. Boniol)
