Ebdane’s party says it got fresh mandate

The local party formed by Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Sulong Zambales Party (SZP), won a fresh mandate from Zambales voters in the May 13 elections by a 22,655 vote lead over former Gov. Amor Deloso, his lone rival since 2010, in a rematch.

Another Deloso scion, incumbent Iba Mayor Ad Hebert Deloso, lost to Ebdane’s son, Jun Rundstedt “Rundy” Ebdane, with 11,420 votes against Deloso’s 9,159.

The two victories of the Ebdanes made up for the loss of second district Rep. Jun Omar Ebdane, according to a statement issued by the governor.

The Commission on Elections also proclaimed Ebdane’s running mate, Ramon Lacbain II, as vice governor. Under the SZP ticket, six out of 10 provincial board member candidates for the first and second districts won.

For the mayoral race, 11 out of 13 winning candidates ran under Ebdane’s SZP.

Notably, a known ally of the Ebdanes, Jury Deloso, an independent candidate, also won as top provincial board member.

In 2010, Jury Deloso had turned his back on his clan, supported Ebdane and ran for vice governor under Ebdane’s party.

The older Deloso lost to Ebdane in the gubernatorial race in 2010.

The other politician in the Deloso clan, duly elected San Antonio Mayor Estella Deloso-Antipolo, is also a known supporter of Governor Ebdane.