Couples, father-son tandem rule in Cagayan polls

TUGUEGARAO CITY — The May 13 midterm elections saw the victories of husband-wife or father-son tandems in at least seven towns in Cagayan.

In Allacapan town, reelectionist Mayor Harry Florida, a licensed pilot, and private plane owner, garnered 12,859 votes while his wife, Yvonne, won as vice mayor with 12,456 votes. Both were unopposed.

In Ballesteros, reelectionist Mayor Vincent Unite won with 7,692 votes while his wife Violeta won as vice mayor with 8,336 votes.

In Iguig, Ferdinand Trinidad garnered 8,018 votes to get reelected as mayor, beating retired Police Col. Edgardo Pamittan who got 3,722 votes. Ferdinand’s wife, Judith, obtained 7,308 votes to win as vice mayor.

In Rizal, Mayor Brenda Ruma was reelected with 5,638 votes as against Raquel Dela Cruz’s 3,521 votes. Brenda’s husband, lawyer Joel, got 5,700 votes to defeat Romeo Buncag Jr. who got 3,333 votes for vice mayor.

In Penablanca, reelectionist Mayor Washington Taguinod got 18,031 votes while his unopposed wife, Marilyn, obtained 17,494 votes for vice mayor.

In Solana, unopposed reelectionist Mayor Jenalyn Carag got 29,317 votes while her husband, Meynard Carag received 29,845 votes for vice mayor.

In Abulug, a son-and-father tandem won the top posts. Incumbent board member Jeff Vargas was elected mayor with 10,477 votes to replace his father, incumbent Mayor Manny Vargas, who got 12,016 votes to win as vice mayor. (Editor: Leti Z. Boniol)