Paulino, other candidates topple Gordon family’s 31-year reign in Olongapo

Incumbent vice mayor Rolen Paulino won the Olongapo City mayoral race, overthrowing the three-decade rule of the Gordon family, a television report said on Wednesday. Moreover, according to a report by Sandra Aguinaldo on GMA’s “24 Oras,” no member of the Gordon family running for office in the 2013 midterm polls won his or her race. Paulino ran against Ann Marie Gordon, wife of incumbent mayor James Gordon Jr., and Bugsy Gordon-de los Reyes, James's nephew. The two Gordons lost to Paulino, who was proclaimed on Wednesday. James Jr. himself, brother of former Senator Dick Gordon, lost in the Zambales First District congressional race. And Brian Gordon, Dick's son, lost in his bid as city vice-mayor. "Regardless of our name, ‘yung nasa puso natin ang importante. 'Yung nasimulan ng aking lolo malaking bagay sa aking pagtakbo na ang paggogobyerno ay bigay-buhay, hindi hanapbuhay," de los Reyes was quoted as saying in the television report. De los Reyes' brother, JC, is also among the lower vote-getters in the senatorial race, based on partial unofficial and partial official results. Dick has made it back into the top 12 as of the third batch of official results. According to GMA’s Eleksyon 2013 partial unofficial tally of votes, Dick is currently hanging on in the crucial 13th spot in the Senatorial race, while nephew JC is way below in 25th place. James Jr. noted that there should be more communication between the Gordon family. “Kung ibigay ni JC ang boto na 'yun, kung di siya tumakbo, Dick Gordon will be there right now. Baka hindi lang sa 12th spot o maari sa 10th place. Pinipilit naming na mag-usap kami,” James Gordon was quoted as saying in the report. “We call it a dynasty but we are a good political dynasty, 'yung Olongapo umakyat e,” he added. The Gordon family has held the mayoral position in Olongapo City for 31 years, starting from 1980 to 1986, and then from 1988 up to present. — Rouchelle R. Dinglasan/BM, GMA News