Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., allies sweep local polls in Zambales

Governor-elect Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. is proclaimed at 4 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, following a landslide win. (Photo courtesy of Zambales for the People)

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales, Philippines — Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. was proclaimed governor of Zambales at 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, following a landslide victory in the province.

Ebdane defeated his opponent, Chito Balintay, an Aeta leader and former provincial officer of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), who is also an honorary member of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) media server, Ebdane garnered 230,721 votes, while Balintay received only 23,844. A total of 352,948 out of 552,136 registered voters cast their ballots, based on processed election returns.

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Ebdane’s allies, most of whom ran under the local Sulong Zambales Party,  which he founded in 2012, also secured major positions across the province.

Siblings Jaq Khonghun, the incumbent vice governor, and Jay Khonghun, the sitting first district representative, were both re-elected unopposed.

In the second congressional district, incumbent Representative Bing Maniquiz won with 130,179 votes, defeating former Congresswoman Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, who garnered 59,611 votes.

Ebdane’s children also secured their respective posts: Rundy Ebdane retained his seat on the provincial board for the second district, while Jun Omar Ebdane was re-elected mayor of Botolan town.