Former Ilocos Norte governor-turned-appointed city councilor Michael Marcos Keon defeated re-electionist Mayor Chevylle Fariñas for the hotly contested city mayoral post last May 13 local polls here.
Keon, known for his initial MMK, got 29,679 votes.
Fariñas, the widow of the late city mayor-turned vice mayor Michael Farinas who died in a car crash, garnered 28,138 votes out of the total 59,838 valid cast ballots.
For nearly four decades, members of the Fariñas clan held the top seat of the city government.
In his remarks shortly after his proclamation held at the City Hall, Keon thanked his political supporters and the people of Laoag for giving him the new mandate to serve the city which he deemed as a symbol of Laoagenos’s continued trust on him.
His top priorities, he said, will be the improvement of the Laoag City public market and the Laoag City General Hospital as well as innovation of the city sports development program for the youth.
Keon’s running mate lawyer Vicentito “Toto” Lazo, a graduating provincial board member, also victorious against his rival Michael John Farinas, son of Mayor Farinas and former city administrator. (IS)
