Unopposed bets in Cordillera secure victories

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines—The Bulut siblings will trade seats in Apayao province after running unopposed in the 2022 elections.

Incumbent Apayao Rep. Elias Bulut Jr. will take the gubernatorial seat from his sister Eleonor Bulut-Begtang, who will in turn take over the congressional seat from her brother.

The brother-and-sister tandem were also unopposed in the 2019 elections. Both ran under the PDP-Laban Party.

Shamir, the youngest of the Bulut siblings, is also unopposed in the mayoral race in Calanasan town.

Three other Apayao towns also have unopposed mayoral candidates. They are Josie Bangsil in Luna, Hector Reuel Pascua in Pudtol and Evelyn Barsatan in Santa Marcela.

In Abra, incumbent Mayor Menchie Bernos of La Paz town and incumbent Rep. Joseph Sto. Niño Bernos will trade positions. The two are husband and wife.

Two mayoral bets in Mountain Province—Clark Ngaya of Barlig and Constito Masweng of Tadian—are also unopposed.

In nearby Ifugao province, unopposed Mayor Raldis Bulayungan in Kiangan and Jimmy Padchanan in Mayaoyao already secured their posts.

Of the candidates in 13 towns of Benguet, only Kibungan Mayor Cesar Molintas, who sought reelection, ran unopposed.  /ra