Don't Place your Bets as Yet

WHEN I was a student at the University of Sto. Tomas, my buddies at the boarding house would invite me to join them when they wanted to try their luck at the Jai Alai Fronton along the Taft Avenue in Manila. They said I was their lucky charm, and I analyzed who among the pelotaris will score the win.

The most exciting match was called Llave. It had 11 eleven players in the court, and each one tried to eliminate the other. And, who had the true grit will survive, and be declared winner.

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The vice mayoralty race in Angeles City I liken to the Llave event of the Jai Alai game. The candidates, all five of them namely Vicky Vega Kabigting, the incumbent; Tony Mamac, barangay captain of the oversized Barangay Balibago; incumbent Councilors Jay Sangil and Alfie Bonifacio; and last and but not the least, Mark Allen Sison, former Angeles City Administrator and now Vice President Jejomar Binay's political officer and strategist. What a cast!

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At this stage of the race, all five are supposed to be limbering still, yet my informants told me that they are already on the unofficial campaign trail.

Except for Councilor Sangil, I've met four, and in my talks with them, they have their own statistical survey that indicates that if the elections are held today, each one will emerge as the top voters' choice. How will that happen, search me.

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The real truth is that no one can claim that she or he is the top choice at this early. It is still four months to go. The electorates at this stage are yet to make up their minds.

Kabigting cannot claim an advantage being the incumbent. Sometimes it can be a minus factor, particularly if people felt there was a lackluster performance of the august body which she heads, and raised the issue of corruption. But her being the only candidate backed up by a complete slate and her being a woman has a distinct advantage. She is a very charming person, and very intelligent at that.

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In many occasions, I've chanced to be with Captain Mamac. I heard him to be a convincing speaker and graphically explained his platform which never failed to get a good response from the crowd.

Councilor Alfie Bonifacio is a terrific campaigner. He is almost everywhere. I can sense that he has the largest campaign chest. It seems there is no limit to his splurging. One generous guy whom you will easily love.

Mark Allen Sison is muy simpatico. His mestizo look never fails to catch the attention of any lady in the crowd. Like Bonifacio, (not the hero) he has enough or more than enough funds to spend till the finish line. His running has the blessing of the Binays, and equally supported by the Nepomucenos. That’s his distinct advantage.

Councilor Jay Sangil's candidacy cannot be ignored. He may be running as an independent, yet his supporters cut across all from A to E voters. He can count for himself also from his own command votes coming mostly from the youth.

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At this stage, unless you are an inveterate gambler like my board mates who enjoy the Llave match at the fronton, don't place any bet yet. Wait until the last two weeks of April.