UNTIL the certificates of candidacy are filed, last-miute withdrawals and cancellations are submitted and approved, and the final list of aspirants reviewed and certified to and, yes, finalized by the Commission on Elections, there is yet no knowing or telling who among the aspirants will slug it out in the forthcoming electoral contest and those who will not be voted upon.

In Mabalacat, particularly, there brews a strong fight between physician Victor "Toy" Tiglao, incumbent Mayor Marino "Boking" P. Morales and, probably, yes, probably, his daughter Marjorie Grace Morales-Sambo who has since been kuno dissuaded by various sectors, including the elderly and the senior citizens, from running against her father. By the way, let us not discount or frown upon the entry of Joseph D. Policarpio of the huge Policarpio clan of Barangay Sta. Ines. Joseph may prove to be the dark, kicking horse in the mayoralty race. Who knows he may whip up support from the professionals and the undecided sector!

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Family feud. As you've noticed, I have refrained from or have not written yet about this boiling controversy, siding neither with the father nor with the daughter, who, rumors have it, wanted, as preconditions for her probable withdrawal from the mayoralty race, the removal from office of the following: GSO head and chief of staff Jun Magbalot, Municipal Budget Officer Roger Tanglao, Municipal Treasurer Myrna S. Ocampo and this writer. Ha, ha.

If the good mayor succumbs to this capricious and unfounded request of the daughter, all his reliables will be unceremoniously removed, notwithstanding Civil Service rules on termination. Remember, a civil service eligible can only be removed for cause and after exhausting legal remedies and a full-blown hearing. The good mayor is well advised to consider this.

Ah, some ambitious overtures blind one's rationalization and discretion. Oftentimes, one goes overboard if he or she allows emotions or rage take the better part of his or her consciousness!

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Passing reviews. I do not consider it premature to pass on the potentials and accomplishments of elected officials such as those from the Mabalacat Municipal Council (MC).

With the impending exit of MC member Noelito Castro who is eyeing the vice mayoralty post, the three remaining oppositionists are considered seeded: Benny Jocson who previously served from 1998 to 2004 and made a comeback in 2007 may dispute the top three postings with Christian C. Halili, the good and hardworking son of a well-loved father, former mayor Fred Halili.

Christian has proven himself worthy of public trust and should be reelected to allow him to work out more sensible resolutions and ordinances for the public. In due time, Christian may be ripe for the mayorality post. That is a fact and it is undisputed. Ditto with reelectionist Eddie Sotto, who, although given the crumbs in committee chairmanships, had nevertheless proved he can slug it out with the veterans of the MC. He has learned the ropes of the trade, so to speak, and he is ready for his second term.

They are young but not restless or restive: Benny, Christian and Eddie. While they may not be as articulate as the prolific Jun Sibal or the suave and charismatic Mayor Boking, these three cavaliers do relevant, proactive and effective business inside the august halls of the SB of Mabalacat. The betting now goes on who among the three will top the SB race.

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There's just too many holidays, whew! Perhaps, Malacanang is starting to realize that there is not much wisdom in freely declaring so many holidays for a struggling country like ours. On the contrary, we urgently need so many working hours in order to catch up with Vietnam and move slightly ahead of Bangladesh and Laos, the cellar dwellers at present, but not for long. Nakoryente yata ang Palasyo dahil winidraw ang nationwide scope of holidays for November 27 and 28 para sa ating mga kapatid na Muslim. E, sino ba ang in-charge sa pag set ng mga holidays? Konting ingat lang para di makoryente ha.