The political landscape in the various city halls in Metro Manila has remained little changed despite a reshuffling of a few personalities after incumbent local government officials, political clan stalwarts, and other familiar figures were proclaimed for fresh three-year mandates.
As of the end of office hours on Tuesday, winning mayoral candidates in 15 cities and 1 town in the metropolis had already been proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Francisco Domagoso, popularly known by his screen name Isko Moreno, emerged as the front-runner in Manila’s mayoral race, garnering a commanding lead over incumbent Mayor Honey Lacuna and businessman-congressman Sam Verzosa.
Based on the partial and unofficial tally from the Comelec, Moreno received 509,693 votes, enjoying a wide margin over Lacuna’s 184,030 votes, with 96.47 percent of election returns already counted.
His running mate, Chi Atienza, clinched the vice mayoralty race.
In Quezon City, incumbent Mayor Joy Belmonte and her running mate, Vice Mayor Gian Sotto, secured their third and final term in office.
In southern Metro Manila, incumbent Senator Nancy Binay was proclaimed the winner of the mayoral race in Makati City, overcoming her brother-in-law, incumbent Makati City Representative Luis Campos, who is the husband of outgoing Mayor Abigail Binay.
Additionally, Campos’ running mate, Congressman Kid Peña, won as vice mayor against former actor Monsour del Rosario.
In Taguig City, re-electionist Mayor Laarni Cayetano and her running mate Arvin Alit also emerged victorious.
Meanwhile, incumbent Ading Cruz defeated Lino Edgardo Cayetano, the brother-in-law of Mayor Cayetano, in the congressional district of Taguig-Pateros.
In Marikina, Maan Teodoro beat Stella Quimbo for mayor by a wide margin. But Quimbo’s running mate, Del De Guzman was able to snag the vice mayoral post.
Additionally, the proclamation of outgoing Marikina Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro, who seeks to represent Marikina’s 1st District in the House of Representatives, was put on hold due to unresolved election cases.
In Las Piñas City, Mayor Imelda Aguilar swapped roles with her daughter, Vice Mayor April Aguilar, after winning the midterm elections.
The mother-daughter duo has pledged to continue the legacy of the late former Mayor Vergel “Nene” Aguilar, focusing on education and health services for the community.
Councilor Mark Anthony Santos, on the other hand, defeated incumbent Senator Cynthia Villar to represent the city’s lone district in the House of Representatives.
In Parañaque City, incumbent congressman Edwin Olivarez and Benjo Bernabe were declared winners in the mayoral and vice mayoral races, respectively, and subsequently proclaimed.
In Pasay City, Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano was re-elected, and Mark Calixto was declared the winner for vice mayor.
Rubiano’s brother, Tony Calixto, also got a fresh three-year term as congressman.
In Muntinlupa City, Mayor Ruffy Biazon was re-elected for a second term, with Phani Teves being declared the Vice Mayor-elect.
In Pateros, Gerald German and Carlo Santos won the mayoral and vice mayoral races.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and his running mate, Vice Mayor Robert Jaworski Jr., celebrated their third and final term after a landslide victory. .
In Mandaluyong City, the Abalos family’s leadership continues with incumbent Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos winning the mayoral race, succeeding her father-in-law, Benjamin Abalos Sr.
Moreover, re-electionists Wes Gatchalian of Valenzuela City, Jeannie Sandoval of Malabon, John Rey Tiangco of Navotas, and Francis Zamora of San Juan will serve another three-year term as local chief executives in their respective cities.