Reelected mayor’s proclamation suspended over citizenship

CASIGURAN, Aurora – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has suspended the proclamation of the reelected mayor of this town pending the resolution of the disqualification case filed against him over his citizenship.

Ricardo Bitong’s proclamation should be suspended until further notice, according to a twopage order released by the poll body’s second division on Friday.

Melinda Marie Jazmin filed the disqualification case, saying they have evidence to show that Bitong uses the names Ricardo Ang The and Tai Li Chin.

Bitong of the Nationalist People’s Coalition garnered 5,867 votes against 4,745 votes of former mayor Jeremias Esteves of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino.

In Aurora, reelectionist Rep. Bellaflor AngaraCastillo and her nephew Vice Gov. Rommel Rico Teh Angara, were proclaimed on Thursday afternoon.

Angara-Castillo got a lead of 754 votes over her rival San Luis Mayor Annabelle Tangson.

Angara won by over 45,000 votes against independent candidate Felix George Miran.

Aurora Gov. Gerardo Noveras, who ran unopposed, and eight provincial board members were also proclaimed.

The proclamation of winning candidates in Aurora was delayed for four days after the vote counting machines bogged down.

In Dinagat Islands, the Ecleos dominated the elections, with only former governor Geraldine Ecleo losing to reelectionist Rep. Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao.

Reelectionist Gov. Glenda Ecleo, who ran unopposed; Vice Gov. Benglen Ecleo and Board Member Joslyn Ecleo were proclaimed on Tuesday.

Several other members of the Ecleo clan, including three mayors and several municipal councilors, won the elections.

In Cavite, sixth district reelectionists Rep. Luis Ferrer and General Trias Mayor Antonio Ferrer as well as Cavite City Councilor Denver Chua, who ran for vice mayor, were successful in their bids.