Singsons poised to take Ilocos Sur back

As expected, Luis “Chavit" Singson's political comeback was almost certain based on a partial and unofficial consolidation of election results in the province. Singson, who had lorded over Ilocos Sur as governor for 26 years (1972-1986; 1992-2001; 2004-2007), is leading far ahead his rival Efren 'Rambo' Rafanan, as shown by the partial and unofficial tally by GMA Network. As of 8:16 a.m. on May 11, Singson led with 168,574 votes against Rafanan's 91,247. The figures represent 78.57 percent of total election returns (ERs). Singson left the administration’s Lakas-Kampi-CMD in the middle of the campaign period to endorse Nacionalista Party's Manuel Villar Jr., who is on the third place next to former president Joseph Estrada, in three-cornered race led by Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" Aquino III. Rafanan is a former Singson ally, who now belongs to Estrada-led Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino. Singson ally and incumbent governor Deogracias Savellano, who slid to the vice gubernatorial post, led two other opponents with 196,528 votes, against Romeo Hidalgo's 20,613 and Ruben Marzan's 10,725. Clan dominance In other local positions in the province, Singson's family members were also edging up against their opponents. In the province's First District, Chavit's son Ronald leads with 76,517 votes, 46,766 more than rival Bertrand Baterina's 29,751. Baterina is the nephew of former Ilocos Sur Rep. Salacnib Baterina. Eric Singson, Jr., the son and namesake of outgoing Deputy Speaker Eric Singson Sr., also leads rivals with 126,861 votes for the second district congressional seat. Rivals Edwin Antolin got 6,163 votes, while Wilfredo Cabinte earned 2,083. Meanwhile, Eric Jr.'s brother Allen's reelection bid for Candon City's mayoral post appeared almost sure at 21,713 votes against rival Vicente Balbin's 1,451. Alfonso Singson, Eric Sr.'s brother, is unopposed for the vice mayoralty post of the same city, earning 20,280 votes. Also unopposed are Chavit's son Ryan and niece Eva Medina for Vigan City's vice mayoral and mayoral posts, respectively. Eric Sr.'s sister Charito Zaragoza and her daughter Zuriel are also unopposed for Narvacan town’s vice mayoral and mayoral posts, respectively. Germelina Singson-Goulart, meanwhile, is leading against rival Tito Tugade albeit in a tight race. Goulart, sister of Eric Sr., got 5,566 votes against Tugade's 4,064. Eric Sr.'s nieces Kristelle Singson, who is running for Candon councilor, leads her 15 rivals with 18,173 votes. Chavit ran for the Senate in the 2007 Elections but he lost by a wide margin. [See: Chavit Singson] . - LBG, RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV