CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews/17 May)—The father had fallen, but not the son.
Rep. Yevgeny Vicente “Bambi” Emano was proclaimed the winner of the gubernatorial race in Misamis Oriental.
The Commission on Elections said Emano got 190,986 votes compared to his rival, Vice Governor Norris Babiera, who garnered only 170,321 votes.
Bambi Emano is the son of Cagayan de Oro Mayor Vicente Emano.
His victory is the only redeeming factor in the political dynasty whose dominance in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental started three decades ago, when the Emano patriarch was then elected town mayor in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.
The elder Emano, known for his political astuteness, was defeated by Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno during Monday’s hotly contested mayoral race in Cagayan de Oro.
The elder Emano has still his daughter Nadya Emano and her husband, President Elipe, in the Cagayan de Oro City council after winning last Monday’s elections.
“The seed that my father had planted in Misamis Oriental will continue to grow. I promised to continue his legacy,” Bambi told supporters who trooped to the Misamis Oriental provincial capitol where he was proclaimed last Thursday afternoon.
Bambi also promised to “clean” the bureaucracy at the provincial government.
For his part, the elder Emano said that despite his defeat, he was happy to see his son winning the gubernatorial post, which he held for three consecutive terms during the 90s.
“I am assured that Bambi will continue to serve the people of Misamis Oriental,” he told their supporters.
Bambi’s running mate, Joey Pelaez, was also proclaimed the winner in the vice gubernatorial race.
Incumbent Rep. Pedro Unabia was reelected for a third term in the first congressional district, beating Clyde Abbot with a margin of at least 80,000 votes.
Villanueva town mayor Juliet Uy won over former Rep. Jun Baculio in the second congressional district. Uy garnered 50,750 votes against Baculio’s 40,905 votes. (Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)