Aquino allies trounced in Quezon

DAVID Suarez

LUCENA CITY—Two allies of President Aquino—who belong to the Alcala and Tañada families in Quezon—suffered defeat in the May 13 elections.

Quezon Gov. David Suarez (NUP) defeated a “buddy” of President Aquino, Irvin Alcala (LP), in the race for governor. The provincial board of canvassers (PBOC) on Thursday afternoon declared Suarez winner with 418,895 votes against Alcala’s 358,943 or a margin of 59,952 votes.

Alcala is the eldest son of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala while Suarez is the son of House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez.

Meanwhile, the control of the Tañada clan collapsed in Quezon’s fourth district when Wigberto “Toby” Tañada Jr. (LP) trailed behind political neophyte Angelina Tan (NPC) by a slim 4,084 votes for the congressional contest based on PBOC’s final tally.

Tañada’s lawyers tried to prevent the PBOC from proclaiming Tan, saying a third candidate, Alvin John Tañada (PMP), was already disqualified, hence his vote should be credited to Toby. The PBOC, however, said they should address the issue to the Commission on Elections national office in Manila.

Aleta Suarez (Lakas), was proclaimed representative for the third district of Quezon, replacing her husband, Danilo.  She ran against LP candidate  Sheila de Leon, an environmental advocate, and another independent candidate. Rep. Mark Enverga (NP) was reelected congressman in the province’s first district.

In the mayoral race, Suarez’s closest political ally, the Talaga clan dynasty, however, came crashing down as all six politicians from the family suffered humiliating defeats from their respective rivals.

The patriarch of the Talaga political clan, former Lucena Mayor Ramon Talaga Jr. (UNA) suffered humiliating defeat from his wedding godson, Lucena Mayor Roderick Alcala (LP), Irvin’s second cousin.

Roderick garnered 50,795 votes while Talaga received only 36,406 with a difference of 14,389 votes.

The other members of the Talaga clan, who also lost their election bids were: former Lucena Mayor Barbara Ruby Talaga, Ramon’s wife, who lost to Vicente Alcala (LP), Proceso’s elder brother, in the province’s second district congressional race.

Ramon’s brother, eldest son, youngest son and a nephew also failed in their bids in other local posts.