LAGUNA, Philippines – There is no triple victory celebration in the household of film legend Vilma Santos-Recto after one of her sons, television host Luis Manzano, lost to Governor Hermilando “Dodo” Mandanas in the vice gubernatorial race in Batangas.
While Santos-Recto and her other son Ryan Christian Recto cruised to easy wins in their gubernatorial and congressional races, respectively, Manzano found it difficult to defeat the octogenarian who has been a fixture of the province’s politics since the 1990s.
Based on partial, unofficial results from the Commission on Elections as of past 2 pm on Tuesday, May 13, Mandanas has already obtained 804,225 votes, higher than the 552,044 votes of Manzano. Some 97.6% of election returns have been transmitted.
Mandanas did fewer sorties than Manzano, and was less active on social media, sometimes letting his wife Angelica do the campaigning online.
In one of his videos posted online, Mandanas banked on what he described as “proven” track record on improving the state health, education, livelihood, and protection of life in the province.
Numerous issues shaped the race, such as who has the better scholarship program, who between the two is the legitimate Batangueño, and whether the electorate would pick an octogenarian or someone almost half his age.
Mandanas will lead the 16-member Sangguniang Panlalawigan under the provincial government to be led by showbiz royalty Santos-Recto.
Santos-Recto is headed back to the capitol, after serving as Batangas governor from 2007 to 2016 and as Batangas 6th District representative from 2016 to 2022. She did not run for any post in the 2022 elections.
As of past 2 pm on Tuesday, the showbiz royalty known for her monicker “Star for All Seasons” has garnered 640,073 votes, ahead of his closest opponent 523,237.
Ryan, also a political newcomer, also won in Batangas’ 6th District covering Lipa, after obtaining 92,271 votes, while his closest opponent Bernadette Sabili trailed with 72,429. – Rappler.com