Governors in typhoon-hit provinces fall from power

POLLING CENTER Teachers turn a storm-damaged office at Paniog Elementary School in Basilisa, Dinagat Islands, into a polling precinct during the May 9 elections. —ERWIN M. MASCARIÑAS

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands — The governors of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands, two of the provinces worst hit by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) in December last year, fell from power during the May 9 elections.

Reelectionist Dinagat Gov. Arlene Bag-ao appears headed for defeat as she trailed Vice Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr. As of Wednesday, with 98 percent of elections returns transmitted, Bag-ao had 25,552 votes against Demerey’s 33,993.

Bag-ao, a human rights lawyer and social development worker, was on her first term as governor, after serving as the province’s representative in Congress from 2013 to 2019.

Residents in several towns that the Inquirer interviewed blamed the provincial government’s strict handling of health regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the rules on mobility, for their economic hardship during the health crisis.

Matugas clan

They said the negative economic impact of the pandemic was aggravated by the devastation of their homes and livelihood by Odette, one of the strongest typhoons to hit province. They, however, praised the local government for responding to their needs following the destruction wrought by Odette.

In Surigao del Norte, Gov. Francisco Matugas also appears to lose his reelection bid to former Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers. As of Wednesday, with 96 percent of election returns transmitted, Matugas had 141,784 votes while Barbers had 159,900.

During the campaign, Matugas was hit hard by Barbers’ allegations of not working enough to alleviate the dire situation of Surigao residents after Odette struck the province.

Matugas’ brother, Ernesto, and nephew, Ernesto Jr., are also trailing in the race for vice mayor and mayor, respectively, of the provincial capital Surigao City.

As of Wednesday, Ernesto got 33,834 votes against Alfonso Casurra’s 43,266, while Ernesto Jr. got 32,260 against Paul Dumlao’s 46,296.

But other members of the Matugas clan and their allies on Siargao Island appear to have survived the electoral battle, considered a referendum of their handling of the relief, rehabilitation and recovery initiatives for thousands of families displaced by the typhoon.

Matugas’ wife, Sol, won as mayor of General Luna town. Local slates aligned with Matugas won in eight other towns in Siargao.

However, in the 11 towns of mainland Surigao del Norte, Matugas’ allies won in only three — Claver, Mainit and Malimono.

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