Ex-PNP chief Aglipay pursues unity as new Cagayan governor

DOWN ON HIS KNEES Former Philippine National Police chief Edgar Aglipay, proclaimed governor of Cagayan, kneels before provincial board members aligned with his opponents during the May 14 proclamation ceremony at the provincial canvassing center in Tuguegarao City, emphasizing unity. —Cagayan Public Information Office photo

TUGUEGARAO CITY, CAGAYAN, Philippines — In a display of humility and statesmanship, former Philippine National Police chief Gen. Edgar “Egay” Aglipay dropped to his knees before a crowd of supporters and rivals alike, moments after being proclaimed Cagayan governor-elect late afternoon on May 14.

With emotion in his voice, he called for unity and cooperation—even from those outside his One Kagay-an slate—signaling the start of a new and unifying chapter in the province’s political history.

The final canvass of votes showed Aglipay securing 258,470 votes—just 27,429 ahead of his closest rival, Dr. Zarah Lara, who garnered 231,041 votes. Incumbent Vice Gov. Melvin Vargas Jr. trailed far behind with 149,745 votes.

Largely seen as an underdog in the months leading to the election—having maintained a relatively low public profile until the filing of candidacies in October—Aglipay anchored his campaign on the “Egay” platform, focusing on energy, environment, employment, good governance, agri-industrial development, youth development and elderly welfare.

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After his proclamation, he immediately visited the towns where he clinched victories, most of them located in northern Cagayan.

Although he lost in vote-rich areas like Tuguegarao City, Solana and Baggao, he more than made up for it with an overwhelming lead in Tuao—home turf of his ally and outgoing Gov. Manuel Mamba—where he amassed 27,641 votes compared to Lara’s 2,966.

Aglipay pledged to continue and support Mamba’s flagship programs, including “No Barangay Left Behind” and “Caganda 2025,” and shared his broader vision of positioning Cagayan as a key player on the global stage—transforming it into a leading industrial hub and logistics corridor in Northern Luzon.

Opposition

“Let us set aside politics and go to work for our province,” he declared during the proclamation.

The Provincial Board of Canvassers, chaired by lawyer Michael Camangeg with lawyer Ronnel Nicolas as vice chair and Romel Libang as secretary, officially administered the proclamation.

Despite his victory, Aglipay faces the challenge of working with a provincial board dominated by the opposition, echoing the political landscape of his running mate, Mamba, who often clashed with provincial board members during his tenure.

Beginning June 30, Mamba will assume the position of vice governor after a landslide win, receiving 348,954 votes against his cousin Leonides Fausto and former Gov. Alvaro Antonio.

The province’s three congressional districts were also won by Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) allies—Ramon Nolasco (1st District), Baby Aline Vargas-Alfonso (2nd District) and Joseph Lara (3rd District)—each defeating Aglipay’s endorsed candidates. In the provincial board, seven of the newly elected members are aligned with Lakas–CMD, leaving only three seats occupied by Aglipay’s allies: lawyer Romeo Garcia, Jojo Caronan and Romas de Asis.

In a post on Facebook, Aglipay thanked the people of Cagayan for their trust.

“This is not my victory alone, but a victory for all of us. A new chapter of service and compassion unfolds before us, and together, we will build a more progressive, more orderly and more humane Cagayan,” he wrote in Filipino.

Aglipay, who served as PNP chief from Aug. 23, 2004, to March 14, 2005, ventured into the private sector as chair of EMME Security Group. His daughter, Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, has served as a DIWA party list representative and justice undersecretary and is currently a Department of Social Welfare and Development undersecretary. He is also the father-in-law of Sen. Mark Villar.

Lara has accepted the outcome of the election. In a Facebook post, she said in Filipino, “I am deeply grateful for your trust. Though this may not be the end we envisioned, it marks the beginning of a stronger and deeper commitment to service.” /cb