18 bets in Cebu just need 1 vote to win

Five mayoralty, nine vice mayoralty, and four candidates for representatives in their respective districts only need a single vote to seal their win for being unopposed in their respective areas in Cebu in today’s elections.

Under the rules, unopposed candidates in today’s national and local elections are not automatic winners as they need to be “elected” to get the mandate.

The four candidates unopposed in their congressional bid are Lolipop Ouano-Dizon in Mandaue’s lone district, Peter John Calderon in the seventh district, Pablo John Garcia after the withdrawal of candidacy of Abag-Promdi’s bet, and Rhea Gullas in the first district who switched with her husband Samsam Gullas who decided to seek re-election as Talisay City mayor instead.

Samsam is running against the current vice mayor Allan Bucao in the mayoralty race in Talisay City.

For mayors, unopposed are Ace Binghay in Balamban, Jojie Derama in Boljoon, Roy Vincent Singco in Ginatilan, Terence Blanco in Ronda, and independent candidate Democrito Diamante in Tuburan. All except Diamante are under One Cebu.

Of the five unopposed mayors, Binghay, Derama, Blanco and Diamante’s running mates Alfie Binghay, Rocky Gabatan, Erwin Villanueva, and Danny Diamante respectively are also unopposed.

Singco’s running mate, Dean Michael Singco, however, will have to deal with independent candidate Clarito Dinglasa.

The other vice mayoral aspirants who are unopposed include Raisa Moreno in Aloguinsan, Neil Tracy Plando in Alcoy, Juan Alfonso Lim in Medellin, Dotis Laude in Sibonga, and William Lagahid in Dalaguete town.

Based on COMELEC’s listing, there are also only eight candidates running for councilors in Tuburan.

Today’s votes will determine their rankings though a single vote for them can also get them a seat in the council.

Of the eight candidates for councilor in Tuburan, five are also independent–Eugenio Arigo, Rodollo Dela Cerna, Wilfredo Diamante, Ray Matthew Laurel and Marvin Monterola and the rest are under One Cebu, including Lorenz Lagon, Louise Potencioso and Aming Suezo.