Dynasties, reelections dominate local Bohol polls

Tagbilaran City Hall | PHOTO: Tagbilaran City Government website

TAGBILARAN CITY––Old and familiar names in Bohol politics won in the May 9, 2022 elections, based on the official results from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Reelectionist Balilihan Mayor Maria Pureza Veloso-Chatto kept his seat as mayor. Her daughter, lawyer Esther Patricia, won as vice mayor.

Pureza’s husband, Rep. Edgar Chatto of Bohol’s first district, also won with a wide margin against his opponents.

Jane Yap, wife of outgoing Tagbilaran Mayor John Geesnell Yap II, became the first lady mayor of Tagbilaran City.

Jane’s father, former 2nd district Rep. Roberto Cajes, was elected mayor in Trinidad town. Her sister, councilor Joan Cajes-Imboy, was re-elected in Trinidad.

In Inabanga, councilor Jose Jono Jumamoy was elected mayor. His mother, mayor Josephine Socorro Jumamoy, was elected vice-mayor. However, Jono’s only sister Jaja, a commercial pilot and former provincial board member, lost her bid as representative for Bohol’s 2nd district.

Jaja’s rival, Maria Vanessa Cadorna-Aumentado, was elected first woman representative of the second district. Cadorna-Aumentado is the wife of outgoing 2nd district Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado, who won by a landslide against rival Gov. Arthur Yap. Erico’s niece, lawyer Jiselle Rae Villamor, won a seat on the provincial board in the second district.

Board member Dionisio Victor Balite was elected vice-governor. He defeated Vice Gov. Rene Relampagos, a veteran politician whose career in politics spanned three decades. Balite’s younger brother, Dionisio Neil won as mayor in Valencia town.

It is a bittersweet victory for former Bohol Vice Gov. Julius Cesar Herrera, who was elected mayor in Calape town. His daughter, Margaux Herrera-Caya, a newcomer lost her bid as a board member in the first district.

In Panglao, incumbent mayor Leonila Paredes-Montero was elected councilor. Her daughter, councilor Amira Alia Montero-Caindec lost to newcomer Edgardo “Boy” Arcay.

In Dauis, outgoing mayor Marietta Tocmo-Sumaylo was elected vice mayor. However, her husband, Liga ng mga Barangay-Dauis Chapter president Josever Sumaylo, was defeated by a newcomer Roman Bullen, a seaman.

Bohol 3rd district Rep. Kristine Alexie Besas-Tutor was re-elected, while her husband, outgoing Candijay mayor Christopher Tutor was elected vice mayor.

In Loon, mayor Elvi Peter Relampagos and vice mayor Lloyd Peter Lopez were re-elected. Relampagos is the older brother of Rene. Lopez is the first cousin of the Relampagos brothers.

In Getafe, Mayor Casey Shaun Camacho was elected vice-mayor while his brother, former mayor Cary Camacho, regained his position.

In Ubay, mayor Constantino Reyes was re-elected, while his wife councilor Violeta was re-elected.

Former Carmen Mayor Conchita Toribio-Delos Reyes was elected mayor. Delos Reyes’ twin sister Angilita Toribio-Abundo failed her reelection bid.

Outgoing Garcia Hernandez Mayor Tita Baja won as a board member in the third district of Bohol. Her brother, Filadelfo Jess Baja III, won as mayor.

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