Another ‘David vs Goliath,’ Nograles scion wins Congress seat in Rizal

Fidel Nograles (third from left) defeated the Rodriguezes as congressman of Rizal second district. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

SAN PEDRO CITY — Young lawyer Fidel Nograles toppled the two-decade rule of the Rodriguezes as Congressman in the second district of Rizal.

Nograles, a nephew of the late former Speaker Prospero Nograles, won with 210,710 votes against Maridee Rodriguez with 137,567 votes. Another candidate, Dindo Garciano, got 10,749 votes.

Nograles, who ran under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, was proclaimed winner Wednesday evening.

In an earlier interview, the 32-year-old Harvard graduate, said among the things he would push in Congress is the redistricting of Rizal’s second district (composed of Baras, Cardona, Jala-Jala, Morong, Pililia, Rodriguez, San Mateo, Tanay, and Teresa) to allow residents closer access to public funding and government services.

He also wants to strengthen the barangay justice system.

Nograles previously worked under the office of Rizal governor Nini Ynares and offered free legal service in the province.

Many likened his campaign to that of Vico Sotto, who also won as mayor of Pasig City defeating the 27-year rule of the Eusebio clan.  (Editor: Leti Boniol)

Fidel Nograles. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO