Vergaras clinch key wins over Umalis in Nueva Ecija

Cabanatuan City Vice Mayor Jay Vergara defeated former governor and ex-congresswoman Cherry Umali in the race for the congressional seat of Nueva Ecija’s 3rd District. —Photo from his Facebook page

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija, Philippines — The Vergara family scored decisive victories over their longtime political rivals, the Umali clan, in the May 12 national and local elections.

Incumbent Cabanatuan Vice Mayor Jay Vergara, who also served as mayor, defeated former governor and ex-representative Cherry Umali in the race for the congressional seat of Nueva Ecija’s 3rd District.

His daughter, reelectionist Mayor Myca Vergara, also won by a wide margin against Vice Governor Anthony Umali, the brother of incumbent Governor Aurelio Umali.

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Jay Vergara will succeed his wife, outgoing Rep. Ria Vergara, who is completing her third and final term in Congress. The Umali couple — Cherry and Aurelio — had lost to Ria Vergara in past electoral contests.

Despite their losses, two members of the Umali family remain at the helm of the provincial government. Governor Aurelio Umali secured reelection against former General Tinio Mayor Virgilio Bote, while his older brother, Lemon Umali, clinched his first term as vice governor by defeating former Vice Governor Edward Joson.

The Vergaras and Umalis were once political allies but parted ways following the latter’s opposition to Cabanatuan’s conversion into a highly urbanized city in 2010.