NE 4th District contenders: Incumbent Rep. Rosanna Vergara, challenger Czarina Umali
CABANATUAN CITY – Rematches and breakups marked the roster of aspirants for various posts in 2022 elections in the province.
Reelectionist Gov. Aurelio Umali (Unang Sigaw-Partido mg Pagbabago) will be challenged by his former ally, three-term Palayan City Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas (PDP-Laban), while his brother Vice Gov. Emmanuel Antonio Umali is up for battle with former Vice Gov. Edward Thomas Joson whom he beat in the 2019 polls.
Actor and former board member Rommel Padilla (PDP-Laban) would miss a fresh fight with three-term 1st District Rep. Estrellita Suansing (USPP), facing her daughter Mika Suansing instead.
Padilla’s bid came as a surprise as he has been with Umali for years before he took his oath with PDP-Laban early this year. Umali supports Suansing.
Also running for the first congressional district is former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Alexander Balutan.
Third District Rep. Rosanna Vergara (PDP-Laban) who is eyeing a third term will be up for a return bout with former Gov. Czarina Umali (USSP), the incumbent governor’s wife. Umali, also a former representative, lost to Vergara in 2019.
Gapan City Mayor Emerson Pascual (PDP-Laban) challenges reelectionist Rep. Maricel Natividad- Nagaño in the 4th District. He won over her in the 2016 mayoralty race.
Their siblings, Nagano’s brother Rommel will slug it out with Pascual’s sister incumbent 4th District board member Joy Pascual for Gapan City mayoralty.
In Jaen town, the reelection bid of Mayor Sylvia Austria (USPP) will be challenged by former Mayor Antonio Prospero Esquivel (PDP-Laban).
Late last year, Esquivel who lost to Austria in the 2019 elections tried to hold the town’s top post via election protest but Austria was reinstated by the Comelec in January.
Former municipal engineer Crispin Laureano also guns for the post.
In Bongabon town, Mayor Allan Xyztus Gamilla (PDP-Laban) will be challenged by former Mayor Ricardo Padilla (USPP).
