Political clans in the eastern part of Metro Manila lost to candidates who both vowed to end decades-long political dominance in their respective cities.
In a historic ending, Francis Zamora defeated Vice Mayor Janella Estrada whose family has long established San Juan as their bailiwick.
With a margin of 10,247 votes, Zamora acquired 35,060 votes on Monday that shifted the tide of politics in San Juan.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos sapagkat tinulungan niya kaming magtagumpay dito sa lungsod ng San Juan,” Zamora said Monday prior to his proclamation as the new city mayor.
“Ito na po ang pagbabagong hinihintay natin nang mahabang panahon at ito po ay nakamit na natin. Nagsalita na ang mamayan ng San Juan na nagsasabing gusto na nilang baguhin ang sistema, pamamalakad at liderato. Ito na po ‘yun,” he added.
Meanwhile, on the other side of EDSA, 29-year-old Vico Sotto, son of comedian-TV host Vic Sotto, is set to end the 27-year political control of the Eusebio clan in Pasig City.
Sotto was proclaimed as the new Pasig City mayor at session hall of the Pasig City Hall Tuesday afternoon.
Leading by 206,226 votes, Sotto (AKSYON) who carried campaign slogan “Iba Naman”, defeated incumbent Mayor Robert “Bobby” Eusebio (NP).
“Glory to god! Thank you Jesus,” actress Connie Reyes, mother of Vico, exclaimed after raising his son’s hand.
The young politician is about to end the line of Eusebio’s clan that held the city mayoralty starting with Vicente “Enteng” Eusebio in 1992.
“From the very beginning, this fight is not about a specific position. It’s for the true and lasting change in our city,” Sotto said during his arrival at Pasig City Hall Tuesday.
“We already made the first step, this is just the first step. I am very happy that we achieved this,” he added. (Jhon Aldrin Casinas)
