Marcoses, Singsons maintain grip on bailiwicks in Ilocos

May 14, 2022 Provincial

LAOAG CITY – The Marcos and Singson clans retained their respective grip on their bailiwicks in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur after this year’s elections.
Re-electionist Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc, youngest son of Senator Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos, won by a landslide victory against former majority floor leader Rodolfo Fariñas.
Manotoc garnered an overwhelming majority of votes with a 168,000-vote lead over Farinas. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, son of presidential frontrunner Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. defeated outgoing Rep. Ria Christina Fariñas in the first district of Ilocos Norte.
In an interview with reporters on Wednesday, the young Marcos thanked all supporters as he vowed not to disappoint those who trusted him to represent the first district of Ilocos Norte. “Thank you to those in the first district who put their faith in me. I won’t disappoint you,” he said, citing it would be the first time a Marcos will be representing the first district of Ilocos Norte, which used to be a stronghold of the Fariñas clan.
Both Congressman Angelo Marcos Barba of the second district of Ilocos Norte, a nephew of the late strongman Ferdinand E. Marcos, and Vice Governor Cecilia Marcos-Araneta, secured their posts with overwhelming support from the Ilocanos.
Despite running as an independent candidate, reelectionist Laoag City mayor Michael Marcos Keon also won by a small margin against former mayor Chevylle Fariñas and vice mayor Vicentito Lazo.
Except for the three municipalities of San Nicolas, Paoay, and Vintar in Ilocos Norte who have new mayors, all the other 18 municipalities of the province remained under the grip of incumbent mayors or their immediate family members.
Almost all of the winning candidates belong to Team Marcos.
Ilocos Sur
Meanwhile, the Singson’s of Ilocos Sur will continue to dominate the province as they will occupy 15 major posts in the provincial, city, and municipal governments.
Both incumbent Governor Ryan Singson and Vice Governor Jeremias Singson ran unopposed in this year’s elections. Ryan is the son and Jerry is the younger brother of Ilocos Sur political patriarch and Narvacan Mayor Luis “Chavit” Singson. Another son of Chavit, Ronald, won as 1st District representative against reelectionist Deogracias Savellano, the father-in-law of Ryan.
Another Singson represents the 2nd District of the province, Kristine Meehan, daughter of former congressman Eric Singson. She ran unopposed for reelection.
In Candon City, Eric will succeed his son, Ericson, as mayor. Ericson garnered the highest number of votes on the provincial board. His niece, Kristelle Singson, also ran unopposed and is set to serve her second term as vice mayor.
Eric’s brother, Alfonso, was also reelected to the city council and will be joined by their nephew and third-time board member, Jaime. In Vigan, Bonito Singson, an older brother of Chavit, won against his niece and six-term mayor Eva Medina for mayor.
Bonito’s running mate and Chavit’s son, Randy, won as vice mayor. Other winning city councilors are Randy’s cousin Evaristo III, and incumbent councilor Janina Medina-Fariñas.
(LA-PNA Ilocos/ABN)