Sotto, Zamora, Moreno topple giants; make history in PH politics
Marje Pelayo • May 14, 2019 • 9157
(L-R) Vico Sotto, Francis Zamora and Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso
MANILA, Philippines – The political arena had a complete turn-around in major cities in the country as the reign of political clans ended and new faces emerged victorious in Monday’s 2019 midterm polls.
Pasig City’s new, “millennial” mayor
A promise of a “new kind of politics” is about to start in Pasig City after 29-year-old Councilor Vico Sotto braved the pressure to break the almost three-decade unbroken line of Eusebios in the country’s eighth largest city.
On his official Facebook page, Sotto thanked his supporters for the trust while he promised to lead the city to its new beginning.
“Maraming salamat. Sa lahat ng nagbigay ng tiwala, sa mga bumoto, at sa mga nakiisa sa ating laban,” the incoming Mayor said.
“Sulit po ang pagod at effort natin. Narinig na ng bayan ang ating tinig. Handa na ang Pasig para sa tunay at pangmatagalang pagbabago!” he added.
Sotto, who topped the councilor race in 2016 in his first ever attempt in public office, is the son of veteran celebrities Vic Sotto and Coney Reyes.
Sotto did not field a vice mayor which left the incumbent Iyo Christian Caruncho Bernardo unopposed.
His party-mate former Rep. Roman Romulo also won the race against Mayor Bobby Eusebio’s brother incumbent Rep. Ricky Eusebio and is now a returning congressman for Pasig City’s lone district.
A game changer in San Juan City
Businessman Francis Zamora is the new mayor of San Juan City ending the reign of the Ejercito-Estrada clan in the smallest city in Metro Manila.
Zamora considered himself a game-changer after winning the election against Jannela Ejercito, the daughter of former senator Jinggoy Estrada and granddaughter of Manila’s incumbent mayor Joseph Estrada.
The new mayor promised to turn the old city of San Juan into a highly developed “Smart City” with improved services and state-of-the-art facilities.
Francis’ father, Ronaldo Zamora, remains in office after defeating challenger Edu Manzano for the lone district of San Juan.
The Estrada clan took hold of San Juan City since 1969 when then popular actor Joseph Estrada won as mayor. He was succeeded by his sons Jinggoy and JV Ejercito then JV’s mother Guia Gomez to whom Zamora narrowly lost his bid for mayor in 2016.
The Zamoras and Estradas were family friends for 30 years until Francis and Guia both ran in the mayoralty race in 2016. Francis claimed he was cheated in the election.
Dethroning a giant
Former Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso defeated the “giant” in the country’s capital, Manila.
The new mayor described his win as a “humbling experience” while he could only wish the best for his opponent, former president and mayor Joseph Estrada.
“Maging masaya ang kaniyang mga araw sa buhay. Maging maligaya din siya na kapiling ang kaniyang pamilya…Nakapaglingkod na naman siya sa taumbayan. Napagbigyan na rin naman siya. And I think he did enough already for the country and for the city,” Domagoso said of Estrada.
A Tondo boy who used to scavenge for food, Domagoso established his political career from serving three terms as a city councilor, another three terms as vice mayor and the most recent as an undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
As now the new mayor of Manila, he promised “more programs of governance” for the city.
“Today is just the beginning. It’s going to be challenging years for us. People are expecting pero may awa ang Dios. We always wanted to be guided by law and order and by God,” he said after securing his win.
His running mate, incumbent Vice Mayor Maria Sheilah Lacuna-Pangan, also won for a second term in office. — Marje Pelayo
According to Wishcovery Season 2 grand champion, Rhea Basco, her childhood dream was to become a mermaid, inspired by the animated version of the classic fairytale, The Little Mermaid.
And for a day, she was finally able to live this fantasy through scuba diving in Mabini, Batangas when she joined the crew of UNTV’s travel series, “The Dive” on its latest episode.
With over 80 beaches and dive resorts, Mabini is dubbed as the “Diving Capital” of Batangas Province.
It has 26 world-class dive sites, including four protected marine sanctuaries – Arthur’s Rock, Batong Buhay, Twin Rocks and Cathedral dive site.
Mabini is also the location of Anilao – believed to be the “Birthplace of Philippine Scuba Diving”. Anilao is well-known as the “Mecca of Macro Fauna” due to its spectacular marine critters, making it one of the most-visited diving destinations of local and international underwater photographers.
With two and a half to three hours of land travel from Metro Manila, Mabini is one of the nearest destinations where beach chasers can go to level up their travel adventure through scuba diving.
Join Rhea in her first-ever scuba diving adventure in Mabini, Batangas and find out the reasons why scuba diving in Anilao should be added to your bucket list.
Discover the marine jewels of Mabini this coming Sunday, 11:00 AM with your weekly diving buddy, The Dive, only on UNTV. — Maribelle Boral-Cabling
Watch the live stream on the following social media accounts:
AFP Cavaliers’ big man Jeffrey Quiambao was seen back in action after missing almost the entire 1st round elimination due to shoulder injury. PHOTOVILLE INTERNATIONAL
Tough defense was Judiciary’s main weapon in defeating the three-time and defending champion AFP Cavaliers last Sunday, 78-72.
“Yung ensayo namin double effort kasi kalaban namin three-time champion, kailangan talaga sila paghandaan. At saka depensa namin medyo maganda kanina kaya siguro tinalo namin sila,” Judiciary Magis Coach Joey Yabut said.
On the other hand, AFP Cavaliers head coach Cornelio “Sonny” Manucat II said, “Medyo nagkaroon ng lapses sa defense, yung game plan hindi ginawa.”
Hailed as Best Players of the Game were Jearomel Serrano, who nailed 5 three-pointers, and Chester Tolomia with 17 points.
“Sobrang saya kami […] yung team namin medyo nag-improve talaga yung sa depensa,” Chester Tolomia expressed.
“Eto yung halos pinakamalakas na team ngayon [AFP Cavaliers], kahit papaano nagawan namin ng magandang laban yung AFP at ang resulta nanalo kami,” co-BPG awardee Jearomel Serrano said.
Only the Cavalier Darwin Cordero scored in double digits, 32 points, for AFP.
Because of tough defense, the usual AFP gunners, Boyet Bautista and Jerry Lumongsod, were restricted in the scoring department.
Meanwhile, Wilfredo Casulla Jr. was not present in the clash as he is undergoing mandatory schooling for career advancement if the Philippine Air Force which will end after two months.
AFP Cavaliers has now dropped to 2nd place in the ranking with 6 wins and 1 loss, leaving the DENR Warriors on top.
Meanwhile, Judiciary Magis improved its record with 3 wins and 3 losses.
In the other game, Marvin Mercado recorded a double-double stat line with 28 points, 14 rebounds plus 3 assists and 1 steal to lift the NHA Builders against the Agriculture Food Masters, 74-72.
“Practice pa rin kami, tapos dasal. Ini-involve namin lahat ng players, yun ang nagpapaganda ng laro namin kaya kami nanalo,” Best Player of the Game Marvin Mercado confessed.
“Inayos namin yung mga plays namin, yung mga depensa namin. Salamat naman sa end game nanalo rin kami. Tatlong game na kami talo sa end game so hopefully gumaganda na yung laro nila sa end game, na-co-contain na namin yung aming panalo,” NHA Builders Head Coach Silverio “Bennett” Palad expressed.
And in the third game, PITC Global Traders climbed to the 4th spot after serving the Malacañang-PSC Kamao its second loss, 68-58.
“Wala lang laban lang talaga, we are just working hard every practice, every game, so I hope magtuloy-tuloy,” PITC Global Traders Head Coach Vic Ycasiano admitted.
Marlon Keith Martin was honored as the Best Player with 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal.
On next Sunday’s game (December 8), PhilHealth Plus will go against Judiciary Magis at 2 pm while NHA will take on PITC and AFP- Malacañang-PSC will be pitched as the main game of the triple-header.
Games will still be played at San Juan Knights Gym live starting at 2PM with telecast, webcast and live streaming at UNTV Cup’s Facebook and YouTube accounts. — Bernard Dadis
Police arrested the four members of Panday Sining for spray-painting political statements on public properties during the annual rally commemorating the birth anniversary of Filipino hero, Andres Bonifacio. | Photo taken from the Facebook page of Sama-samang Artista para sa Kilusang Agraryo
MANILA, Philippines – Left-leaning art group, Panday Sining, is calling for the release of four of its members who were arrested in Manila on Saturday, Nov. 30 over a protest art to mark Bonifacio Day.
In a statement, Panday Sining condemned the arrest of four activists by police after attending rallies commemorating the birth anniversary of Filipino hero, Andres Bonifacio.
The four, which included a minor, were apprehended by the Manila Police District for vandalism.
Police arrested the activists while they were spray-painting messages calling for end to political repression on posts of Light Rail Transit (LRT) line 2 in Recto.
Panday Sining said its members were manhandled while being dragged by police officers in civilian clothes.
“We demand the release of these people’s artists. We demand an end to the Duterte regime’s tyranny amid the people’s just demands,” the group said.
The group also defended its members, saying its “protest art in the time of narrowing space for free and critical thinking is not only just necessary.”
Free the artists! Free Panday Sining 4!We condemn in the strongest terms the arbitrary abduction and arrest of the…
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso in a statement on Sunday, Dec. 1, said he had warned the group against committing vandalism.
“You were warned. Nag-abiso na ako. Nananawagan po ako na huwag ninyo nang ulitin. Inulit niyo pa rin. Sinusubukan niyo kung may batas at liderato sa Maynila,” he said.
“Kailangan niyo pong harapin ngayon ang bisa ng batas,” he added.
In November, the group earned Mayor Isko’s ire after they spray-painted messages on the newly-refurbished walls of Lagusnilad underpass and UN Avenue.
Mayor Isko warned the group that he will make them “wipe the paint off with their tongue” if he happens to catch them.
He also earlier said that citizens have the right to express themselves but they do not have the right to vandalize public property.
Vandalism is a prohibited act in the City of Manila under Ordinance No. 7971 which imposes penalties on any person who defaces public and private property.
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