Duterte-endorsed senate bets dominate in Cebu

Local

FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte’s reach still spans far across Cebu, where his endorsed senatorial candidates continue to lead the local vote count, even while he remains detained in The Hague.

As of the latest partial results from the Commission on Elections at 11:07 a.m. on May 15, Duterte-backed candidates—especially those from Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban)—are leading the senatorial race in Cebu.

Senator Bong Go leads the Cebu tally with 1,817,038 votes, followed by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa with 1,605,897 votes.

Another PDP-Laban candidate, Jimmy Bondoc, holds third place with 995,729 votes. Independent Rodante Marcoleta is fourth with 921,246 votes, while Camille Villar of the Nacionalista Party ranks fifth with 907,574 votes.

Bam Aquino of Kilusang Nasyonalista para sa Bayan (KNP) has 888,651 votes, and Phillip Salvador of PDP-Laban received 886,875 votes.

Raul Lambino (PDP-Laban) garnered 841,880 votes, Jayvee Hinlo (PDP-Laban) has 786,412 votes, and Erwin Tulfo (Lakas) collected 766,847 votes. Independent Vic Rodriguez secured 681,638 votes.

Sen. Pia Cayetano of the Nacionalista Party received 670,577 votes, completing the top 12 most voted candidates in Cebu.

Former senator Kiko Pangilinan (Liberal Party) sits in 13th place with 661,973 votes, while Senators Lito Lapid (NPC) and Imee Marcos (Nacionalista Party) round out the top 15 with 587,222 and 576,162 votes, respectively.

Though not all under PDP-Laban, Rodriguez and Marcoleta are also endorsed by Duterte and considered part of his political camp.

Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte, who has roots in Danao City, has been actively campaigning in Cebu in the weeks leading up to the elections, boosting her political presence in the province.

Though not endorsed by former President Duterte, Camille Villar and Imee Marcos received endorsements from the vice president.

Nationally, Go leads with 26,490,710 votes, followed by Aquino with 20,637,824, and dela Rosa with 20,273,810 votes.

Other candidates in the top 12 include Erwin Tulfo, Pangilinan, Marcoleta, Ping Lacson, Tito Sotto, Cayetano, Villar, Lapid, and Marcos.

Candidates ranked 13th to 20th nationally include Ben Tulfo, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Abby Binay, Benhur Abalos, Bondoc, Manny Pacquiao, Salvador, and Colonel Bosita.(MyTVCebu)