The husband and wife tandem of Juanito “Kulot” Inojales and XZ May “Pinky” Inojales topped the mayoral and vice-mayoralty contest, respectively, in Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental on Monday in peaceful but highly-anticipated elections.
Juanito Inojales, the incumbent mayor, defeated former mayor Katrina Orencia, 19,535-14,037 while XZ May “Pinky” Inojales swamped Katrina’s father, Vicente “Enteng” Orencia, himself a former mayor, with 17,345 votes as against the elder Orencia’s 15,950.
The Orencia father and daughter tandem has ruled Governor Generoso for 26 years.
The winning councilors included Jerum Villaceran, Vic Guiritan, Criselda Almacin, Carlo Makiling, Perlito Tanduyan, Alma Llorca, Jeff Limbadan and Lita Paras.
Inojales said the victory expressed the sentiments of the people of Governor Generoso to sustain responsible governance and development moving forward.
“As in my first try, it was the overwhelming support of the people in their desire for change that made it possible for us to win,” he said.
Inojales called the people of Governor Generoso to remain united and supportive. “There is nothing impossible when we are united,” he said.
In his first term, Inojales is credited for improving taxation that led to the town’s elevation as a first-class municipality.
The local government unit has twice in a row, in 2023 and 2024, been awarded the seal of good local governance for excellent housekeeping, responsible governance and for raising tax collection.
It was adjudged in 2024 the country’s 25th most improved municipality.
On April this year, the LGU also acquired its first set of heavy equipment worth P80-million comprising of 10 heavy dump trucks, one backhoe, one grader, and one compactor. It also acquired its first patroal speed boat and a new ambulance unit.
The equipment is meant to help improve road access to enable farmers to bring their products to the market and to cope with annual disasters.
The elections were described as generally peaceful characterized by a festive atmosphere that reminded locals more of a Christmas season than in a serious undertaking of choosing their next set of municipal officials. (Jimmy K. Laking)
