Elite families fail to topple Pilar mayor
ROXAS CITY – Elite families who are influential and landed in the town of Pilar, Capiz failed to oust incumbent Mayor Ritalyn Patricio.
Former Mayor Gideon “Ike” Patricio, a third termer and husband of the incumbent mayor, said that landed families such as Gillada, Perez, Cuñada, Abelita, Morales and some Patricios were against his wife.
“Only the masses supported my wife,” the male Patricio said.
Patricios took their turns in power from former Pilar Mayor Porferio “Perying” Perez in 1995 when he (Patricio) defeated the latter in mayoral race.
When Ike graduated in 2004, he pushed his wife Ritalyn to run for mayor prompting Perez to field his daughter Board Member Blesilda “Gingging” Perez-Almalbis to oppose the former’s wife.
However, Patricio still won the election against Almalbis until her last term which is May 10, 2010 election.
In the recent election, reelected Mayor Ritalyn Patricio garnered some 9,000 plus while her closest rival Vice Mayor Mariano Patricio got only some 8,000 plus votes.
Patricio’s running mate Ruby Benigla Patricio, wife of Judge Hannibal Patricio, also won as the town’s vice mayor.
It was learned that majority of Patricio’s councilors won in the election.
