Jennifer Barzaga, mom of expelled representative Kiko, wins Cavite congressional seat

MANILA – Former Dasmariñas City Mayor Jennifer "Jenny" Barzaga won the Cavite 4th District congressional seat in a special election on Saturday, capturing 201,893 votes following the expulsion of her son, Francisco Barzaga Jr.

Barzaga defeated four other candidates in the special election, called after the House of Representatives expelled her son in June for disorderly behavior, conduct unbecoming of a member, and violations of the House Code of Conduct.

The District’s Board of Canvassers officially proclaimed Barzaga at 3:30 a.m. on Sunday at the City of Dasmariñas Arena, capping off an election that drew a 57.75 percent voter turnout.

Turnout surpassed expectations, with 258,361of the district's 447,387 registered voters casting ballots —exceeding the 50 percent target previously hoped for by Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia.

Barzaga's closest challenger, Raul Rex Mangubat, finished a distant second with 30,361 votes, followed by Jacinto Frani Jr. (24,350), Marvin Dupal-Ag (1,184), and Lysander Ordenes (561).

To boost participation among vulnerable sectors, Comelec implemented exclusive early voting from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.

The poll body also extended the standard 3 p.m. closing deadline by two hours due to heavy afternoon rains. (PNA)