NEW MAYOR. The electoral board of canvassers raise the hands of Dagupan City's elected Mayor Belen Fernandez (2nd from left) during the proclamation on Tuesday (May 10, 2022). Fernandez won against incumbent Mayor Marc Brian Lim. (Photo courtesy of Belen Fernandez Facebook page)
DAGUPAN CITY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaimed Tuesday Belen Fernandez as the elected mayor here, along with the elected members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Fernandez won with 67,499 votes against incumbent Mayor Marc Brian Lim who garnered 53,042 votes.
“I can’t thank God enough for this historic victory. I am overwhelmed with great joy because finally, we can bring back Dagupan, our city we love, to its former glory,” she wrote in her Facebook post.
Fernandez’s running mate, re-electionist Vice Mayor Bryan Kua, also won with 73,766 votes against Carlos Alipio Fernandez who got 42,689 votes.
Fernandez was elected mayor in 2013 and 2016 elections. However, she lost to Lim in the 2019 polls.
The councilors who were also proclaimed by the Comelec were Librada Fe Reyna, Jeslito Seen, Alvin Coquia, Celia Lim, Dr. Malou Fernandez, Alipio Serafin Fernandez, Red Erfe-Mejia, Dennis Canto, Irene Lim-Acosta, and Michael Fernandez.
Meanwhile, Lim congratulated the winning candidates.
"I have no hurt feelings in my heart; I know what I am made of, and I only have a love for Dagupan City. Whatever happens, my faith and trust in the Lord will not be shaken. God's will always prevail. We never know but there may be better things ahead for me,” he said.
Lim said he wishes the newly-elected officials the “best of luck”, adding he will pray for them that they will do their best for the Dagupeños. (PNA)
