BENGUET — The Provincial Board of Canvassers officially proclaimed the winners in the provincial races, with the United Benguet party maintaining its stronghold across most positions.
Incumbent Governor Melchor Diclas secured a third and final term as provincial chief executive, while Marie Rose Fongwan-Kepes, a sitting board member, clinched victory as the new Vice Governor of Benguet.
In the First District, re-elected board members Johannes Amuasen and Sander Fianza will be joined by two new faces: Thomas Wales Jr., outgoing mayor of Bokod, and Lady Charmaine Molintas-Likigan, daughter of the late Governor Raul “Rocky” Molintas.
For the Second District, incumbent Neptali Camsol retained his seat, and former board member Jim Botiwey returns for a fresh term. They will serve alongside four outgoing municipal mayors who earned seats on the Provincial Board: Ruben Tinda-an of Buguias, Romeo Salda of La Trinidad, Manny Fermin of Kapangan, and Armando Lauro of Tublay.
With nearly all provincial-level winners running under the United Benguet banner, the party continues to dominate local politics, from the provincial board to the congressional seat—though the latter now faces uncertainty.
The proclamation of incumbent Benguet Representative Eric Yap has been suspended by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) pending a disqualification complaint.
“In view of the foregoing, the Commission Second Division orders the suspension of the proclamation of respondent Eric G. Yap as Representative of the Lone District of Benguet. The suspension of the proclamation shall be effective until further orders of the Commission,” stated Atty. Vanessa Roncal, Benguet Provincial Election Supervisor and Assistant Regional Election Director for the Cordillera, as she read the order to the public.
Yap said that the matter would be dealt with by his legal team and assured the public that there is no cause for concern as he would continue to serve the people of Benguet.
The official proclamation capped off a closely watched local election, signaling both continuity and political shifts within the province. – PIA
