Philemon beats Critten for Milne Bay regional seat

By LESLIE OMARO
IT was a double blow for the People’s National Congress (PNC) when two of its prominent candidates lost their seats over the weekend.
In the Milne Bay regional seat, sitting MP, Sir John Luke Critten, was ousted by former governor, Titus Philemon, a People’s Progress Party candidate.
In a close-run affair, Philemon won with 42,749 votes while Critten polled 41,606.
Philemon, from Rossell Islands, is not new to the political scene having been governor in 2002 when he got in after a vote of no-confidence that ousted Dame Josephine Abaijah and took over the governorship from the seven local level government presidents.
He was the sitting member of Samarai-Murua when he was elected governor that year.
Philemon tried to run for governor in the 2002 elections but lost to Tim Neville.
He tried again in the last elections but came second again, this time to Sir John.
In the Esa’ala open, newly-elected member and PNG Party candidate Davis Steven finished strongly with 7,039 votes to defeat sitting MP and PNC candidate, Moses Maladina, who came second with 4,854. 
So far the only PNC candidate and Alotau MP Charles Abel has retained his seat while Samarai-Murua MP, Wesley Gordon, is their remaining PNC candidate still in the running.
Philemon thanked  election manager Dadu Daga and his election officials for conducting peaceful elections in the province.
“I also want to thank the scrutineers, campaign managers and supporters of candidates for their tireless efforts.”
Philemon described the elections as one of the toughest in the province and thanked God for the win.
“I was elected by all of you so this victory must be shared by all the people of Milne Bay.”