BATANGAS CITY – Re-electionist Governor Vilma Santos Recto, together with her running-mate Mark Leviste, were proclaimed Thursday night by the Batangas provincial board of canvassers as winners in the gubernatorial and vice-gubernatorial elections in Batangas. Governor Vi, running under the Liberal Party, garnered a total of 602,397 votes against her rival, Sto. Tomas Mayor Edna Sanchez, who had 211,717. Vice Governor Leviste won with total votes of 629,584, defeating Edwin Ermita, son of former executive secretary Eduardo Ermita, who also lost to Tom Apacible, former Bureau of Customs chief of the Cory Aquino administration, in the congressional elections in the first district of Batangas. Political observers said the landslide victory of the Recto-Leviste tandem reflects the true sentiment of Batangueños that they are pleased with the performance of the two officials in their first terms in office.

Barangay chief slain

CAMP VALENTIN S. JUAN, Ilocos Norte – A former barangay captain was shot and killed by unidentified men inside his house in Barangay 8, Sarrat, Ilocos Norte last Thursday night. Police identified the victim as one Donato Ramos. In a report reaching Bombo Radyo, the victim, his wife and his two children were inside the house when the lights went out and then a burst of gunfire and voices of men were heard. After the men a had left and the tension died down, the victim’s wife and children were shocked to see him bloodied and lifeless on the floor. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

E.R. Ejercito, new Laguna gov

LAGUNA – Pagsanjan Mayor George E. R. Ejercito won a dramatic four-cornered race for governor of this province and was proclaimed the other day at the Capitol. Ejercito, a former actor and nephew of former President Joseph Estrada, won the governorship with 282, 611 votes, based on the final tally of the Provincial Board of Canvassers. His closest rival, Laguna Provincial Administrator Dennis Lazaro, garnered 213, 672 and former senator and Department of Interior and Local Government secretary Jose “Joey” Lina got 207,723 votes. The fourth candidate was incumbent Vice Governor Ramil Hernandez.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaimed Ejercito as governor-elect, along with winning Lakas-Kampi-CMD bet for vice governor, Los Baños Mayor Ceasar Perez. (Ferdinand F. Castro)

Mishap kills 2

Two persons died the other night when the motorcycle they were riding was accidentally sideswiped by a speeding mixer-truck on a highway in Dasmariñas City, police said. The fatalities were identified as Aries A. Alcantara, 28, of Block 4, Lot 94, Sta. Ana Subdivision, Barangay Malagasang II, Imus, Cavite, and Ryan Regidor, 23, of Block 2, Lot 2, Narra Street, Green City Subdivision also in Imus town. Alcantara, who was the motorcycle driver, died on the spot while Regidor, the back rider, was declared dead on arrival at Medic Hospital in Dasmariñas City. Both victims sustained head and body injuries. The driver of the truck (ZPL-837) gave up to the police after the accident. He was identified as Diosdado M. Calvo, 35, of Barangay Kayquit, Indang, Cavite. Police Officer 1 Ronelo C. Abas, officer-on-case, said that the accident occurred on Aguinaldo Highway in Barangay Sampaloc II. (Anthony Giron)