Apostol clan loses grip in Leyte’s 2nd district

CARIGARA, Leyte, May 12 (PNA) –- In Leyte’s second legislative district, an old guard lost to a neophyte politician in a hotly contested race between well-established political dynasty and an emerging political clan.

Businessman Henry Ong, 44, ended the reign of 81-year-old Rep. Sergio Apostol, a current deputy speaker in the House of Representatives, whose family ruled the second congressional district since 1992.

Based on 99.05 percent election returns processed through the poll body’s transparency server, Ong garnered 94,516 votes while Apostol had 81,651 votes or a margin of 12,865 votes.

With the defeat of Apostol patriarch, the clan loses their grip in the second district, a vote-rich area in the province with 14 towns. Of the 14 incumbent mayors, 13 are close allies of their family. However, in the actual voting, Ong turned to be the most favored candidate in 11 towns.

“It was a very challenging campaign given the loyalty of some people to the Apostols,” said Ong, who owns a Manila-based consultancy firm.

Apostol’s daughter, Board Member Anlie failed his bid to return as mayor of Carigara town against Ong’s brother Eduardo, the incumbent chief executive.

The only members of the Apostol family left in power is Sergio’s wife, Trinidad, 78, who just won as board member on Monday’s elections. The matriarch had been away in the political limelight for three years after serving as vice governor, congresswoman and Carigara town mayor.

Sergio has not yet conceded to Ong pending the latter’s proclamation, according to Trinidad. The provincial board of canvassers have yet to receive data from Dulag town, which encountered machine glitches.

“There are winners and losers in politics. There are obstacles beyond our control, but it’s hard to accept sometimes,” Trinidad told reporters.

This is Sergio’s first defeat in the congressional race, but not in the electoral process. In 2004, he ran for Leyte governor and lost to then neophyte Carlos Jericho Petilla.

“The people’s voices have been heard. It’s amazing that they want change and they chose me to be a vehicle of change,” said Ong, whose family managed the supermarket chain Cherry Foodarama before it was acquired by SM of tycoon Henry Sy last year.

Sergio was a congressman of the district from 1992 to 2001. He started his political career as town councilor of Barugo, Leyte in 1959 then became a member of the Leyte provincial board.

During the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, he was the chairman of the Philippine National Oil Company-Energy Development Corp. and Secretary to the Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel.

Sergio returned to local politics in 2010 to replace his wife in the House of Representatives. (PNA)
JMC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO