2 bets from powerful families in Calbayog City defeated

TACLOBAN CITY––Two candidates from two of the most powerful political families in Calbayog City, Samar, were defeated in last Monday’s elections.

Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento and Julius Clarence Aquino have conceded their defeat and announced their retirement from politics.

The outgoing congressman said he was privileged to serve the people in the first district, which includes Calbayog and nine municipalities, in the past six years.

“I leave the first district of Samar with my head held high. We were together for six years, and I have done my best for all my constituents and all Calbayognons and Samarnons,” he said in a post on social media.

Aquino, son of the slain City mayor Ronald Aquino, believed it was time for him and the rest of their family to retire from politics, which he said caused the life of his father.

“Our family has sacrificed so much for the city and its people, including the life of our papa. I think it’s about time that we move forward and focus on our family and live a simple and peaceful life. With this, I am officially and humbly retiring our family from politics,” said Aquino, a doctor by profession.

Armed men, later identified to be policemen, on March 8 2021, killed his father.

The Sarmientos and Aquinos have ruled Calbayog and the rest of the first district of Samar for almost 30 years.

In the recent elections, Sarmiento was defeated in his reelection bid against Stephen James Tan, while Aquino lost to Rex Daguman in the race for vice mayor of the city.

Aquino’s running mate, Diego Rivera, was also defeated by Raymund Uy. Both Uy and Daguman were allies of Tan.

Tan belongs to the other dominant political family of Samar, whose siblings include Sharee Ann, a congresswoman elected as governor; and Reynolds Michael, the governor, who won the congressional race for Samar’s second district that will be vacated by his sister.

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