By YVONNE T. CHUA
SAVE for tightly contested races in a handful of provinces, this year’s gubernatorial elections are all but over.
But unlike in the congressional polls where President Benigno S. Aquino III and his Liberal Party have made significant strides, the ruling party will control in the next three years about the same number of provinces it does at present—36 of the country’s 80 provinces.
Elections in two of these 36 provinces have not been decided as of Thursday, although LP candidates are seen leading in the initial count. These are Lanao del Sur and Eastern Samar.
Results of Monday’s polls show the Liberals retaining its hold on 28 provinces and gaining six provinces, including Cebu, Siquijor and Zamboanga Sibugay where LP candidates trounced members of the Garcia, Fua and Jalosjos clans. Agusan del Sur, Guimaras and Zamboanga del Norte are also coming under LP’s fold.
But the President’s party has lost the provinces of Palawan, Catanduanes, Northern Samar, Misamis Oriental and Sarangani, and is in danger of losing Ifugao where canvassing is still ongoing.