Pagadian City Mayor Urges Political Unity After Elections
PAGADIAN CITY — Mayor Samuel Co has urged his political rivals to set aside their differences and collaborate for the city’s progress now that the elections are over and new officials have taken their oaths across Zamboanga del Sur.
As he took his oath on June 25, Co appealed to the rival political family led by Governor Divina Grace Yu, a former congresswoman whose children and allies secured most provincial seats. The keyphrase Pagadian City mayor calls rival families for unity captures his call for cooperation amidst political competition.
Co’s Narrow Victory Amid Political Shifts
Reelected as Pagadian City mayor, Co narrowly defeated outgoing Governor Victor Yu, husband of Governor Divina Yu, by just 1,514 votes. Despite Co’s win and the election of his son Lance Samuel Co and ally Jigger Ariosa to the city council, the Yu family dominates most provincial posts.
Governor Divina Yu’s children took various key positions: Joseph Kim as first district representative, Victoria as second district representative, and Raymon as Labangan town mayor. Additionally, Yu’s brother Ruel Cabardo assumed office as Tambulig town mayor, while niece Jihan Bana-Glepa took her oath as the first nominee of the One Coop party-list.
Yu Family’s Stronghold Continues in Province
Though Victor Yu lost to Co for mayor, his niece Aiko Yu To secured the vice mayor position, and another niece, Jacqueline Bana, won a city council seat. The Yu family members took their oaths before a regional court judge on June 30 at the Mega Gym in Barangay Dao, local sources noted.
Political Setback for Cerilleses and Jalosjos Clans
The recent elections marked a significant defeat for the Cerilles family. Former Governor Aurora Cerilles failed to reclaim the second district congressional seat, while her daughter-in-law Junaflor Cerilles lost the gubernatorial race to Governor Yu. Junaflor’s husband Ace William Cerilles also lost the Dumalinao mayoral race to Raul Famor, an ally of the Yus, and Junaflor’s sister Mary Joan Sarmiento failed to win the mayoralty in Lakewood town.
Similarly, the Jalosjos clan in neighboring Zamboanga del Norte suffered major losses. Darel Dexter Uy, along with his allies, took oath as the new governor at Dipolog Sports Center, while Sushmita Jalosjos lost the Dapitan City mayoralty to former Dipolog Mayor Belen Uy. Other Jalosjos family candidates also lost their bids for office, signaling a shift in political power in the region.
Changing Political Landscape in Zamboanga Region
Former Governor Rosalina Jalosjos lost the Dipolog mayoral race to Roberto Uy Sr., husband of Belen Uy. Other Jalosjos family members, including Cesar and Cecilia Carreon, failed to secure congressional seats, with reelectionist candidates allied to the Uys winning in their respective districts.
This political turnover highlights the evolving power dynamics in the Zamboanga Peninsula, with the Yu and Uy families emerging as dominant forces, while older political clans face setbacks.
For more news and updates on Zamboanga del Sur politics, visit Filipinokami.com.