How a Newcomer Defeated a Two-Term PUP mayor

Teacher Maclovio Ack was declared the victor in the People’s United Party mayoral convention in Punta Gorda on Sunday. Ack defeated incumbent mayor Carlos “Obeah” Galvez and newcomer Dr Francis Arzu.

Ack received 554 votes, Galvez 392, and Arzu 209.

Ack says, “This has been my aspiration, and I am here, living this dream. I am doing it for my town, Punta Gorda.”

The victory means the PUP will enter the 2027 municipal elections with a new mayoral candidate for that municipality.

A teacher for eight years and teaching principal in Barranco Village, Ack had served as president of the Rotaract Club of Punta Gorda, where organising community projects and fundraisers motivated him to pursue larger leadership roles. Ack says, “I respect Mayor ‘Obeah’ Galvez, but I wanted to give it a shot, and I ensured I put in the work.”

Emphasising his commitment to youth advocacy, Ack says, “As a youth, I know what it is; I see the experience that we have here in Punta Gorda, so I want to be able to stand up for them. I want to be able to fight for our youths and be the voice for our youths. I know their struggles; I listen to their cries. Our youths are the future, so we need to step up.”

Ack says his background in education is key to his transition into local government, saying, “I have given back to the community through education; I have impacted a lot of lives, so I think it’s now that I want to venture into a bigger area of leadership, which is my community.”

Ack added, “I am ready to work; I am going to continue what I started. I will prove to myself that I am ready and that I am serious about leading Punta Gorda. My campaign will be through action.”

A total of 1,233 ballots were cast with 20 ballots rejected. According to the PUP, the voter turnout was the largest in the history of municipal conventions in Punta Gorda Town.

Six councillor candidates were also elected to join Ack on the official PUP slate. Gloria Maria Avila led the councillor candidates with 692 votes, followed by Anthony Fuentes with 636. Kerlinn “Kay” Moreira and Olivia “Assi” Sho both received 544 votes, with Indira Coleman securing 541 and Roberto Virez earning 516.

The party will host its next municipal conventions in San Ignacio Town on 22 August and Benque Viejo on 23 August.