Map of Leyte province. INQUIRER.net
TACLOBAN CITY –– The task of serving the public remained a family affair in some parts of Leyte province.
In Abuyog town, Octavio Traya Jr. will succeed his son, incumbent Mayor Lemuel Gin Traya, who was elected vice mayor in the May 9 elections. Octavio served as mayor of Abuyog for several years.
In Matag-ob town, a father-son tandem defeated another father-son tandem, whose family has ruled for almost three decades.
Businessman Bernie Tacoy and his son Vincent won as mayor and vice mayor against incumbent Mayor Michael Torrevillas and his son, re-electionist Vice Mayor Bushi Torrevillas.
In Bato, Nathaniel Gertos and his son Bryan Nile managed to return to their posts as mayor and vice mayor. The Gerto family has ruled the town for decades now.
In Carigara town, Mayor Eduardo Ong Sr. was elected vice mayor while his son Eduardo Ong Jr., the incumbent vice mayor, won the mayoral race.
Ong Sr. served the town for nine years while his son was in his first term as vice mayor.
In Capoocan, Mayor Fe Claire Carolino was re-elected with her father Eric, who won his bid for vice mayor.
In Tacloban City, Mayor Alfred Romualdez emerged victorious in his re-election bid, but his son Raymund, who ran for vice mayor, was defeated by former vice mayor Eric Chua.
In Leyte town, incumbent Mayor Arnold James Ysidoro got a fresh mandate while his elder brother Armando won as vice mayor.
In Hilongos, Mayor Albert Villahermosa was elected vice mayor. His brother Manuel will succeed him.
In Matalom town, Mayor Eric Pajulio was re-elected, while his brother Jay won as vice mayor.
In Hindang, Mayor Betty Cabal was re-elected while her husband Elpidio was elected vice mayor.
Meanwhile, another family in Leyte is emerging as a political power to reckon with.
The Javiers are now considered a formidable political family after the victory of four of its members led by their patriarch, Leonardo, who was elected vice-governor of Leyte.
Javier’s wife, Lolita Karen, was re-elected congresswoman for Leyte’s second district, while their children Michael Dragon and Jassie won as mayors of Javier and Jaro towns.
Representative Javier shrugged off talks that they were building a political dynasty, saying they were elected by the people.
“We cannot be considered a dynasty as we were elected by the people. We don’t force the people. They voted for us during elections,” she said.
“It is our right to run and be voted,” she added.
The lawmaker vowed not to fail their constituents by making sure they would deliver their promises to the people.
The political rise of the Javiers started with the election of Leonardo, popularly known as “Sandy,” as mayor of Javier town in 2010.
Sandy, the owner of “Andoks,” a chain of stores that serve roasted chicken, toppled the Cuas, which ruled the town for more than three decades.
In the 2019 elections, his wife Lolita Karen, a ramp model, entered politics by running as a congresswoman in Leyte’s second district.