Surprise, not surprise

FESTIVE. As I have mentioned last week, October 1 to 5 or the days designated for the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) will be much of a fanfare.

It’s like a trial run for a race where the horses were set off the gates to try the field. And just like horse races, there are thoroughbreds and there are also poor varieties.

Just the same, this column is about some surprises in some maneuverings and moves of politicos – the has beens, the wannabees, the never-have-beens, the trying-to-bes and many more.

Here are some of them.

JAY SANGIL. His intention to run for Angeles City vice mayor has long been in the making. What comes as a surprise was the way he is putting up a decent run (I’m not calling a campaign yet).

I was told that the supporters that went with him to Comelec office were not just a handful. While I would not mention here the estimate I was given, I was told that his crowd support and stage management of his filing should be a basis for his rivals to worry.

Jay is running as independent against re-electionist Vice Mayor Vicky Vega, Balibago Barangay Captain, Councilor Alfie Bonifacio.

Jay, who has completed his nine years as City Councilor in flying colors, has a well-managed crowd and event, starting off with a First Friday Mass at the City Hall compound. He then marched with his supporters carrying a toddler-girl who was brought to him for her medical problem.

There were also trikes that bore big bold letters JESUS JAY SANTOS SANGIL in red paint on their backs. Another group carried KAPUSO NATIN in green.

Immediately preceding Jay’s appointment with Comelec was the filing of COC’s of reelectionist Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, together with his whole ABE team. And against that crowd that comprises supporters of their group of 12 candidates, JAY’s own crowd backing is something that is comparable in numbers.

That indeed should make his opponents worry.

LYNDON CUNANAN. His comeback as mayor of Magalang town is not a surprise in itself. But despite his absence from the town hall in the past few years, his crowd support has grown big.

I have seen some pictures taken during the filing of his COC and I would say that his opponent would be in for a surprise as Lyndon tries to make a comeback.

Lyndon is again teamed up with Norman Lacson as vice mayoralty candidate. Their team is made up of former two incumbent councilors and a former ABC president. They are also backed by Pastor and Yeng Guiao. The latter as we all know is supported by Gov. Baby Pineda and husband Bong Pineda in his congressional bid.

While people may be surprised that Norman’s own brother and former mayor Joey Lacson has reportedly filed filed his candidacy for mayor, Lyndon is not worried at all at this twist as he banks on solid people support this time.

ROSVE HENSON. People did not see it coming. But when Rosve, chief of staff of Governor Pineda, filed his COC for Board Member in the third district (along with DINAN LABUNG), they began to ask questions: what becomes now of the candidacy of Mons Laus and Trina Dizon who are also under the saya of Nanay?

Rosve is a veteran politician, having been elected as city councilor and board member before. He is well-liked and has a solid following. Incumbents Mons and Trina would have to give it a good fight now, given the fact that Dinan is certainly no pushover. He was a former board member too.

With Rosve's candidacy now, what is the pecking order at the Compund, err Capitol? Who gets to pick up crumbs now?

MIKE TAPANG. What has become of his mayoralty bid? Even from several months ago, Mike is an outstanding mayoral timber where his would-be opponents stand intimidated of his stock.

Mike, at the last minute, decided to stick it out in the Porac’s Municipal Council. The plan to also run as Roger Tiglao’s partner also fizzled out.

I would say that his decision is a one-step-backward, two-step-forward move. Another three years in the Council would make him more formidable. He has such a good track record and people of Porac would clamor all the more for him to become their mayor by 2016.

YENG GUAIO. What has become of this Congressional wannabe’s PR? Some colleagues in Pampanga media circles are up in arms against him.

And who would not be? We waited for two hours for him at Marquee Mall one Saturday evening. With no advance party and no apologies for the incident, is the vice governor having low regard for us in local media?

We know he is a sports media darling. But Pampanga and his public service is an entirely different realm. We know he is a busy man. So are members of media too, sacrificing even a supposed family Saturday night for him.

Just like his own (former?) PR man who fell out from months back, I am equally surprised at his ill-advice move to make local media wait. In the first place, Bong Lacson said it was him who invited us to that fellowship that has gone bad. That could not be good for his bid as his late father Governor Bren Guiao was also a “local” media man. He was also a by-product of media.