League of Provinces of the Philippines Website

The results of the gubernatorial race in Zamboanga del Norte in the recent May 14 elections will go down into the province’s history as the very fist time for a candidate to get an overwhelming lead against his closest opponent.

Gov. Rolando Yebes got a resounding vote of confidence from the Zanortehanons when he posted a 72,657 vote lead against rival Dipolog City Mayor Roberto Uy.

Except for Dipolog City, the constituency of Zamboanga del Norte’s 27 towns and 2 cities voted to give Yebes a second term at the helm of the provincial government.

Yebes, who ran under the APP-KAMPI party, scored a landslide victory against Uy from the town of Rizal until Sibuco.

In the first district, which includes the seven towns of Rizal, Sibutad, Lalibertad, Sergio Osmeña, Mutia, Piñan, Polanco ug ang syudad sa Dapitan Yebes got a total of 59,193 votes against that of Uy’s 30,381, or a lead of 28,812.

In the second district, which includes the towns of Katipunan, Roxas, Manukan, Jose Dalman, Sindangan and Siayan, Yebes posted a lead of 12,589, which offset his loss of 3,764 votes over Uy in Dipolog City.

Yebes got an imposing lead of 31,256 votes in the third district which comprises the towns of Leon B. Postigo, Godod, Salug, Liloy, Tampilisan, Kalawit, Labason, Gutalac, Baliguian, Siocon, Sirawai and Sibuco.

Yebes said the turn-out of the elections was not what he expected it to be.

He admitted that he expected a very close race between him and Uy because the latter ran a better-funded campaign since his siblings who helped him in his campaign were all big businessmen in Dipolog.

He clarified, however, that he is very thankful to the Zanortehanons, especially his leaders, volunteers and supporters who did not succumb to the lure of money of his opponent.

He added that he is convinced that the true spirit of the elections, which is for the people to choose a qualified leader to take the helm of the provincial government, prevailed and at the same time the people of Zamboanga del Norte are satisfied with his accomplishments during his first term.

In the vice-gubernatorial race, incumbent Vice Gov. Francis ‘Bebbie’ Olvis got a fresh mandate for a second term after he won over Ian Amatong, son of former governor Isagani Amatong. (Translated by AJSanchez)