ILIGAN City ― Winning candidates in Iligan City were officially proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Board of Canvassers on Tuesday, a day after the May 12 elections.
Proclaimed winners include Rep. Celso G. Regencia for the city’s lone congressional district, Mayor Frederick Siao for a fresh term, and Oliver ‘Wekwek’ Uy as vice mayor.
For the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council), the 12 proclaimed councilors are: Nhicole Capangpangan, Derrick Siao, Providencio ‘Bong’ Abragan Jr., Tete Pacana, Michele Sweet, Marlene Young, Samuel Huertas, King Belmonte, Ryan Ong, Ian Uy, Ramil Emborong, and Simplicio Larrazabal III.
Most of the councilors are either incumbents or members of Mayor Siao’s Asenso Iliganon Party. First-time winners under the Siao slate include Derrick Siao, the mayor’s son, and King Belmonte, son of former congressman Vicente ‘Varf’ Belmonte. Ian Uy is a returning councilor, while Ong is the father of a former councilor with the same name.
Regencia defeated rivals including former Justice Undersecretary Oskie Badelles, Buboy Mijares, Emmanuel Salibay, and Siegred Espina for the congressional seat.
Former city mayor Franklin M. Quijano ran as an independent mayoral candidate. Other mayoral aspirants under the opposing team ‘Kargador’ included retired regional police general Rolando Anduyan.
Siao’s running mate, Marianito ‘Dodong’ Alemania, lost to Wekwek Uy. Former vice mayor Jemar Vera Cruz, who was previously aligned with Regencia’s camp, ran under the Abante Iligan slate with Mijares.
Other members of Siao’s team who did not win seats include Melvin Anggot, Irvine Sumagang, and incumbent councilor Betzy Zalsos.
Regencia’s team, known as the ‘Red Team’ or United Iligan Party, saw victories from Capangpangan, Ong, and Uy. Siao’s team, dubbed the ‘Blue Team,’ secured the majority of council seats.
Although tensions between the two camps were perceived by many observers, some attendees noted that Mayor Siao and Vice Mayor-elect Uy exchanged smiles during the proclamation — a rare moment of civility between political rivals.
