Wednesday, November 15, 2006 Opposition courts top Oro political kin By Lizanilla J. Amarga
POLITICAL icons and their descendants are now being courted by the local political opposition group with a number of them already expressing their willingness to support and even vie for candidacy to "save the city," Socialist Union of Local Opposition Groups (Sulog) revealed Tuesday.
The United Opposition group in the national level led by Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay along with former President Joseph Estrada and political lieutenants of the late presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. are now reportedly forging ties with Sulog for the May 2007 elections.
A number of Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano's barangay officials particularly the barangay chairmen who are part of his "Magic 8" are now allegedly meeting with Sulog representatives.
Sulog convener Frederico Gapuz is meeting the core group and some of the above political icons and their descendants by the end of this month for a closed-door meeting in an undisclosed place and time.
But Emano revealed during his Mayor's Move radio program last Saturday that he already has a "shortlist" of candidates to be fielded for the mayorship of the city.
He said he also has a list of those who will be fielded as congressman and city councilors in next year's elections.
And for himself, he said, "I am willing to cross swords with anybody."
Gathering force
Meanwhile, Gapuz and Sulog spokesman Jerry Orcullo said Tuesday that they have been meeting with "prominent and influential political families" in the city.
These include former mayor and congressman Oloy Roa and former congresswoman Leling Roa's son Pedro "Boyboy" Roa Jr. including Manuel Bacan Roa, former congressman Reuben Canoy's nephews Erick Canoy and Butch Canoy, and Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr.'s son Dr. Jack Pimentel.
Also, former assemblyman and Misamis Oriental governor Concordio Diel Sr.'s son Concordio "Jun" Diel Jr. and former city mayor Jesus Seriña's son Joselito Seriña, former Misamis Oriental governor Rosauro Dongallo's son Rudy Dongallo, former governor Homobono Adaza's brother lawyer Cesilo Adaza and wife Merle Adaza to mention a few.
"They are being courted and asked if they are available and are willing to help the city and constituents," Gapuz said.
He and Orcullo said they have also been meeting with Sulog members Councilor Zaldy Ocon, former mayor Pablo Magtajas, former vice-mayor Antonio Soriano, and other local opposition stalwarts here.
"We are running deep and gathering force along the way," Orcullo disclosed as he revealed how some of these political icons and their descendants and other local opposition lieutenants and supporters, traders, and mass base groups have already expressed their support for Sulog in the "2007 elections and beyond."
"Some even intimated that they are available for the people of Cagayan de Oro City, should they be given the chance," he said.
Joining forces
For now, Gapuz and Orcullo confirmed that indeed Sulog is joining forces with the united opposition led by Binay in the national political arena.
They said this as they cited how recently Soriano was picked by PDP-Laban as the regional chairman and how PDP-Laban is among the major forces of the opposition.
Also mentioned was the group of Estrada's Pwersa ng Masa and his "mass base" in Cagayan de Oro City that was formed during the candidacy of the late Fernando Poe Jr.
"For while Sulog intends to unify, the local opposition candidates will have to tie up with the national opposition for identity purposes," Gapuz said.
Orcullo said Sulog is keeping in touch with the united opposition headed by Binay in Manila.
"In due time, everything will fall into place. Sulog is holding its cards close to its chest as that of Emano's style," he said. "We cannot be taken in by Emano's bluff. It's an antiquated tactic."
Gapuz said that for now they are giving Emano "a dose of his own medicine" in the local political sphere.
"Donkoy (Emano) might just find himself left alone standing by himself and forsaken by his very own allies," he said.
A list of Sulog's key supporters was obtained by Sun.Star Tuesday.
It included several names of barangay chairmen, officials, and "purok/sitio leaders" in all 80 barangays in the city.
The prominent names include some of Emano's "Magic 8" or the eight barangay chairmen from vote-rich barangays who paved the way for Emano to grab the mayoralty post in the city after being ousted as governor of Misamis Oriental.
Among them are Kauswagan barangay chairman Roger Abaday, Lapasan barangay chairman Teodulfo Bong Lao, Barangay 30 chairman Roberto Sacay Sr., Carmen barangay chairman Rolando Uy.
Also in the list are Bugo barangay chairman Perseverando Araña, Indahag barangay chairman Carmelito Damo and a number of barangays Gusa and Macabalan officials, local businessmen, public market vendors, sectoral groups and among others.
