Herbert Bautista leads in Quezon City mayoral count

Herbert Bautista file photo

MANILA, Philippines—With more than half of election results canvassed in Quezon City, incumbent Herbert Bautista remained leading in the mayoralty race by a wide margin over his two rivals.

The canvassing was delayed in the city with the largest voting population at 1,083, 912 after polling precincts were hounded by precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machine breakdowns on Election Day.

But local Commission on Election officials said that only 12 of 216 PCOS machines used in Quezon City actually conked out and completely failed to work.

As of 5:45 a.m. Tuesday the local board of canvassers released partial official election results, accounting for at least 50 percent, before it called a recess. The canvassing was anticipated to resume at 11 a.m.

Based on the results, Bautista received 558,276 votes over his rivals John Chang who got 54,312 and Henry Samonte who was voted by 24,722 people.

Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte also enjoyed a sizeable lead over Rolando Jota with 562,582 votes against 39,345.

In the congressional race, Boy Calalay led the first district with 62,710 over Rita Crisologo who got 57,642 and Gary Jamile with 2,132.

In the second district Winston Castelo led with 81,645 votes over Ismael Mathay III who got 46,521. For the third district incumbent representative Jorge Banal got 49,731 votes edging Mat Defensor who received 39,513 votes.

In the fourth district former house speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. gained a sizable lead over Hans Palacios with 96,682 votes against 9,762.

Actor and re-electionist Alfred Vargas edged out Annie Rosa Susano with 67,753 votes against 26,267. Also thumping Dante Liban who got 11,053 votes broadcaster Isagani Oro who got 4,724. The unopposed candidate in the sixth district Kit Belmonte got 77,982 votes.