IP leader loses to former mayor at mayoral race in Palawan town

Palawan map

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — Former town mayor Norman Ong reclaimed his post, unseating an indigenous people (IP) leader in southern Palawan town of Rizal.

Norman Ong won with 9,610 votes against contender Badok Magarce with 5,614 votes.

Incumbent Rizal town mayor Otol Odi, an elder of Palaw’an, failed his re-election bid, landing only in the third spot with 2,590 votes.

Ong previously served as the vice mayor from 2019 to 2022, after completing his three terms as town mayor from 2013 to 2019.

Gracia Zapanta was also proclaimed as the vice mayor by the municipal board of canvassers on Tuesday afternoon.

The new set of municipal councilors who were also proclaimed on Tuesday afternoon was Zaldy Magbanua, Rona Lastimoso, Kim Apostol, Arvin Fuentes, Sherwin Macasaet, Jalil Insani, BJ Mongcal, and Joey Narrazid.

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