SENATE RACE

Genuine Opposition Topples TU In Aklan

By Boy Ryan Zabal

The Editor with MIGZ ZUBIRI, 12th in Aklan

It was 8-2-2 victory for Genuine Opposition (GO) candidates in Aklan. The GO almost sweep the senatorial race in Aklan after Loren Legarda and seven of her fellow opposition bets were on top 12 in the official tally of the Commission of Elections (Comelec).
Legarda leads with 123,257 votes, followed by Rep. Francis Escudero, 116,644 and Manny Villar, 108,116.
Independent candidate Kiko Pangilinan grabbed the fourth spot with 99,085 votes followed by Panfilo Lacson, 93,626 and Benigno Aquino III with 89,635 votes.
Team Unity candidate Edgardo Angara is on the seventh position with 80,252, followed by Allan Peter Cayetano (GO) with 75,418 votes.
Former Senator Gregorio Honasan came ninth with 68,031 votes followed by Antonio Trillanes, 65,503, Aquilino Pimentel, 63,313 and TU bet Miguel Zubiri took the 12th spot with 62,872 votes.
Team Unity candidates Ralph Recto, 61,595 (13th), Joker Arroyo, 61,178 (14th) and Prospero Pichay, 58,232 votes for the 15th spot.
The Aklanon voters’ choice of senators is nearly congruent with the national electorates. While Aklan voters went for 8-2-2 for GO, TU and independent senatorial candidates, the Comelec tally also shows the same: 8-2-2. The Aklanons went for TU’s Edgardo Angara and Miguel Zubiri while it is Angara and Arroyo in the Comelec’s partial returns.
In the case of the NAMFREL tally as of 4:46 P.M., May 23, it is also 8-2-2 for GO. TU’s Arroyo and Angara are in the magic 12./MP