Ex-vice mayor Mangubat concedes Dasmariñas congressional race

MANILA, Philippines — Former Dasmariñas Vice Mayor Raul Rex Rosario Mangubat on Saturday night conceded defeat to incumbent Mayor Jennifer “Jenny” Barzaga in the special congressional race for Cavite’s 4th District.

Mangubat conceded as partial and unofficial votes as of 8:30 p.m. showed Barzaga leading the congressional race at 185,668 votes—reflecting ballots from 41.50 percent of registered voters in the city.

READ: LOOK: Dasmariñas City holds special election to replace Kiko Barzaga

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The former vice mayor placed second, albeit by a significant margin, garnering only 23,208 votes so far.

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“Tapos na ang halalan, at malinaw na ang naging pasya ng ating mga kababayan. Buong puso kong binabati si Jenny Barzaga. Ipinagkatiwala sa iyo ng mga Dasmarineño ang kanilang boto, pag-asa, at kinabukasan,” said Mangubat in a statement.

(The election is over, and the decision of our countrymen is clear. I wholeheartedly congratulate Jenny Barzaga. The people of Dasmarineños have entrusted you with their votes, their hopes, and their future.)

“Ang demokrasya ay hindi lamang tungkol sa ating karapatang pumili. Ito rin ay tungkol sa kababaang-loob na tanggapin at igalang ang pasya ng nakararami,” he added.

(Democracy is not just about our right to choose. It is also about the humility to accept and respect the decision of the majority.)

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Mangubat then thanked his supporters, assuring them that their efforts were not wasted as they were able to prove that it was possible to lead an electoral campaign cleanly and honorably.

“Ngayong tapos na ang halalan, panahon na upang isantabi ang kulay at pagkakaiba. lisa lamang ang lungsod na ating mahal at iisa ang tagumpay na dapat nating hangarin ang pag-unlad ng bawat Dasmarineño,” he further said.

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(Now that the elections are over, it’s time to put aside color and differences. There is only one city we love and one success we should strive for: the development of every Dasmarineño.)

Dasmariñas makes up the entire 4th District of Cavite, having 447,387 registered voters from 75 barangays.

Should Barzaga bag the Congressional seat, she will replace her son, Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga, who was expelled from his post by the House of Representatives last June 2 for “disruptive” and “disorderly” behavior.

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This also effectively means the Barzagas’ hold on Dasmariñas as a political dynasty will continue, extending their political dominance in the city to nearly three decades since Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr. first became mayor in 1998. /cb