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Iligan residents elect jailed mayoral candidate, priest


ILIGAN CITY - The Commission on Elections City Board of Canvassers has proclaimed jailed reelectionist Mayor Celso Regencia and his running mate, Catholic-priest-on-leave Jemar Vera Cruz, on Tuesday night.

Regencia is facing three counts of murder and four counts of frustrated murder for the ambush of Iligan Rep. Vicente “Varf” Belmonte on Dec. 14, 2014.

Armed men opened fire Belmonte's convoy of a few meters from the Laguindingan Airport in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental.

Regencia received 68,995 votes while his Liberal Party opponent Rudy Marzo had 37,029 votes. Vera Cruz, meanwhile, had 61,417 over LP's Providencio Abragan Jr. with 48,716 votes.

Also, a majority of the municipal council members, just like Regencia and Vera Cruz, are members of the Nationalist People's Coalition.

During the proclamation, Regencia was represented by his daughter Bembem.

The Board of Canvassers is composed of lawyer Ramil Pao Acol, who is acting Comelec Officer is the Chairman, with members Rocaya Solaiman, State Auditor IV City Auditor and City Schools Division Superintendent Randolph Tortola.

Asked if Regencia will be proclaimed inside the Iligan City jail, Acol said it is up to his political party.

Vice Mayor elect Vera Cruz, who was the Vicar General of the Diocese of Iligan, said that his partnership with Regencia is aimed at reforming the system of  Iligan City government. — BAP, GMA News

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