Councilor John Dalipe is new Zambo mayor

‘Beng Climaco, Celso Lobregat bow out’

CITY COUNCILOR John Dalipe has won the mayoral election here after gathering over 128,000 votes against his closest rival and veteran politician Celso Lobregat who got at least 91,000.

Mayor John Dalipe and Vice Mayor Josephine Pareja. (Image: John Dalipe Facebook)

It was Lobregat’s second loss who also ran for mayor in 2019, but had been defeated by re-electionist Beng Climaco. Councilor Josephine Pareja is also expected to win the vice mayoral race with more than 95,000 votes against closest rival Councilor Benjamin Guingona’s 91,000 votes.

The 74-year old Lobregat conceded defeat and thanked all those who voted for him. It was the first time Lobregat accepted defeat. Even when he lost the election against Salazar, Lobregat did not concede.

“To all of our supporters and community organizers – every kind family who welcomed us, every volunteer who shared their time and energy, to all those who helped campaign and share our message of hope and love for Zamboanga City, you are the best supporters and organizers I could ever hope for and I will leave my post soon with more optimism. Muchas gracias otravez na oportunidad para sirvi con ustedes por nueve años! Vaya con Dios!” he wrote on his Facebook page, adding “now I can spend more time with my family and my grandson. Before I go to sleep, I will continue to pray for the future of Zamboanga. God help and bless Zamboanga!” Lobregat said.

The 38-year old Dalipe, the youngest to serve as mayor, was first elected as president of the Sangunian Kabataan in 2004 and as village councilor in 2007; village chieftain in 2013 and again in 2018, and city councilor in 2019.

Dalipe’s elder brother, Rep. Mannix Dalipe, also won in District 2 with over 87,000 votes against his closest rival City Councilor Jerry Perez, who only got 58,000 votes.

Salazar, who ran for congresswoman in District 1, also conceded defeat against City Councilor Khymer Olaso who gathered over 71,000 votes who managed to pull off an upset win. Salazar got nearly 54,000 votes. “Gracias a Dios y La Virgen Pilar y San Jose for all your boundless support. We offer all and commit to God’s Divine Will. We gave it our best for God and Zamboanga City! Thank you so much to our campaign team - you are the Best Team forever grateful to God and all of you!” Salazar said.

She also thanked City Hall employees for their support throughout her three straight terms or nine years as mayor. “To the women and men in the LGU (local government unit), you are the backbone of government service in the City of Zamboanga and I am proud of all your contributions, hardwork and devotion in providing quality service to our people,” the mayor said.

“To my remarkable staff, Team BC (Beng Climaco), for nine years I have drawn energy and inspiration from all of you. You have opened your heart, shown your character, shared your idealism and exuded optimism even at times when it gets tough and frustrating. You all never gave up and it makes me prouder to witness your growth and how each one of you carved out your place and significant roles in the grander scheme of things in the service of God, our City and our people,” she added.

This was the first time Salazar was defeated in her entire political career which spans 24 years. She served as city councilor in 1998, vice mayor in 2004 and congresswoman twice, one as Deputy Speaker for Mindanao, from 2007 to 2013 before being elected as mayor.

The winning councilors were also proclaimed: District 1 – Joselito Macrohon, El King Omaga, Joey Santos, Boday Cabato, Dan Vicente, Charlie Mariano, Gerky Valesco, and Joel Esteban. And for District 2 - Vino Guingona, James Siason, Lilibeth Nuño, VP Elago, Jimmy Villaflores, Fred Atilano, Jihan Edding andand Eddie Saavedra.

The conduct of election in Zamboanga was peaceful, although there were many reports of vote buying with politicians or their group allegedly shelling out between P1,000 to P5,000 per voter. (Zamboanga Post)