Aglipay wins Cagayan governor race; Dy clan takes at least 8 seats in Isabela

Former Philippine National Police chief Edgar Aglipay bested his two rivals from dynasties for Cagayan governorship in the midterm elections in Region 2 that was dominated by dynasts. 

Aglipay defeated Zarah Lara and Vice Gov. Melvin Vargas by thousands of votes in his first foray into local politics. 

His election comes amid rising geopolitical tension between China and Taiwan, which lies 570 km away from Cagayan. The province hosts two of the nine sites of the Philippine-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.    

Aglipay, father of former lawmaker and justice undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, was backstopped by his running mate, Gov. Manuel Mamba. The outgoing governor, who once stirred controversy for his alleged pro-China policy, also won the vice gubernatorial race.  

In neighboring Batanes province, former Vice Gov. Jun Aguto defeated Jun Abad and two others in the gubernatorial race.  

In Isabela, the Dy dynasty solidified its decade-long hold on power, winning eight elective positions in Monday’s midterm elections. 

Mayor Francis “Kiko” Dy of Echague town won as vice governor unopposed; his brother 6^th District Rep. Inno Dy as Echague mayor and their father Vice Gov. Faustino Dy III as 6^th District representative. 

In Cauayan City, Mayor Caesar Dy won his reelection bid over his uncle Bill Dy, while Benjamin Dy won as vice mayor. Ian Paul Dy won as 3rd District representative unopposed, while Michael Carlos Dy clinched the 5th District seat. Manuel Faustino Dy got elected to the provincial board.

Rep. Inno Dy’s wife Alyssa Sheena Tan also got elected to her third and final term as mayor, alongside Jamayne Tan as vice mayor, in Santiago City. Joseph Tan also won as 4th District representative.

Rodolfo Albano was elected Isabela governor without any challenger, while Antonio Albano won as 1st District representative.  Ed Christopher Go clinched the 2nd District seat.

In Quirino province, incumbent Gov. Dakila Cua got elected to his third and final term, while his wife Mindy won reelection as congressional representative in the province’s lone district.  

In Nueva Vizcaya, Jose Gambito, who replaced Gov. Carlos Padilla after he died in May 2023, won his first electoral term as governor. — PCIJ.org