MANILA – Negrense James Yap was victorious in his first foray in the world of politics. He was elected a councilor for the first district of San Juan City.
The Escalante City, Negros Occidental three-point gunner was formally proclaimed on Tuesday after placing fourth among the elected councilors in the district with 21,247 votes.
The 39-year-old Yap, a two-time Philippine Basketball Association MVP awardee, is currently on leave of absence with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Other sports personalities who won in the city were incumbent San Juan City mayor Francis Zamora, first district councilors Paul Artadi and Ervic Vijandre and second district councilor Don Allado.
Former badminton federation head Albee Benitez was also proclaimed new Bacolod City mayor, while Negrense Juan Miguel Zubiri, the head of the Arnis federation, was in the top 12 in the Senate race.
Robert “Dodot” Jaworski has been proclaimed as new vice mayor of Pasig City, while another former PBA cager in Vergel Meneses is poised to repeat as Bulacan City mayor.
Philippine Olympic Committee chief Bambol Tolentino is also a winner as Tagaytay City mayor and sports agent Matthew Manotoc looks to be a shoo-in as Ilocos Norte’s governor.
Fencer and actor Richard Gomez is also poised to win a Congress seat in Leyte’s 4th District, while Franz Pumaren is close to sealing his seat as Quezon City district representative.
Boxer and former PBA cager Manny Pacquiao is at far third place in the presidential race, while former bowler Vicente “Tito” Sotto III already conceded his vice presidential aspirations.
Taekwondo jin Monsour del Rosario and former sportswriter Manny Piñol are not faring well in the Senate race, while Alvin Patrimonio is at far second in Cainta mayoralty race.
Also losing were Mandaue vice mayoral hopeful Elmer Cabahug, San Juan vice mayoral hopeful Philip Cezar, San Simon, Pampanga vice mayoral hopeful Mark Macapagal and former PBA Coach Binky Favis as Parañaque City vice mayor./PN
