It was widely regarded as a David versus Goliath race. First time political candidate Atty. Jonathan Keith “John” Flores was proclaimed Bukidnon District 2 Congressman-elect last May 17, 2019 at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. The young lawyer won against outgoing Malaybalay City Mayor Ignacio “Inaki” Zubiri, who, after 21 years of government service, lost an electoral race for the very first time.

According to figures from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Flores garnered 90,944 votes while Zubiri only got 78,977.

Inaki Zubiri is the nephew of Bukidnon Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr. and a cousin of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri and re-elected Bukidnon District 3 Congressman Manuel Zubiri. He started his political career as Malaybalay City councilor in 1998. He served as Vice Mayor until 2010 before finally becoming the city’s chief executive.

Bukidnon District 2 is composed of the City of Malaybalay and the municipalities of Cabanglasan, San Fernando, Impasugong and Lantapan. Flores garnered more votes in all areas except Cabanglasan where Zubiri received about 2,000 votes more.

On his official Facebook page, Flores wrote:

They say that to be elected into office is destiny…kapalaran. I cannot agree more. Bisan sa akong pagka bag-o, inyo kong gidawat, gidungog ug gimahal. Ug karon, ihatod na sa Kongreso isip inyong representante sa Distrito Dos Bukidnon.

I learned a lot from this campaign. Nahigmata ako sa kamatuoran nga dili gyud mapugngan kung ang publiko na mismo ang mobarug ug mupili sa husto nga liderato. Nahigmata ako sa kusog sa gahum sa katawhan. Kung ang tawo na gyud ang mo-endorso ug mutabang kanimo, you need to subject to their will kay that is both an honor and a blessing.

I wholeheartedly accept this challenge and I am ready to pull my sleeves up and work.

I have listened to a lot of you during the campaign. I will continue to do so aron makamugna ta ug mga balaod nga makasulbad sa mga kinahanglan sa atong distrito. Serbisyong sinsero, hustong liderato ug hustisyang makatao ang atong battle cry sugod pa sa una. Tabangi gihapon ko palihug aron ato kining matuman.

Akong dako ug kinasingkasing nga pasalamat sa tanang supporters, volunteers, coordinators, staff ug mga higala. Without your dedication, trust and hard work, this will not be possible. Please know that this is your win as well!

Daghang salamat sa akong pamilya sa ilang pagsabot, pag-amuma ug pagmahal – to my lovely wife Mae and beautiful daughters Gaby and Denise.

I humbly call on everyone to work together for a better, stronger District 2.

Now, the real work begins.

I am READY to serve all of YOU! Daghang salamat and may God bless us all!

Atty. John Flores is the son of outgoing Rep. Florencio “Doc Boy” Flores, Jr., who received a fresh mandate as the new Malaybalay City Mayor.

The elder Flores won in his own comeback bid against outgoing Malaybalay Vice Mayor Atty. Roland “Bong” Deticio. According to figures from the COMELEC, Flores garnered 43,852 votes as opposed to Deticio’s 35,181.

Before becoming Bukidnon District 2’s 3-term congressman, Doc Boy Flores served as city mayor from 2001 to 2010. He also previously served as vice mayor.

Deticio, on the other hand, started his political career as Board Member and then later as Malaybalay City councilor and most recently as the Vice Mayor.

Meanwhile, Jay Warren Pabillaran got elected as the new Malaybalay Vice Mayor. He ran unopposed and garnered 66,899 votes.

The new Malaybalay City councilors are: Estelito Marabe, Niko Aldeguer, Rendon Sangalang, Hollis Monsanto, Erwin Damasco, Cromwell Dinlayan, Louel Tortola, Victor Barroso, Christopher Soria and Kathleen Cecille Pagaling.

* Photos courtesy of Team Flores

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