Tuesday, January 30, 2007 Plazas, Amantes build political bases By Ben Serrano Caraga Correspondent
BUTUAN CITY -- The two biggest political clans in the Agusan provinces -- the Plazas and the Amantes -- are at loggerheads with each of them positioning their own candidates for mayors in Agusan del Norte.
Reportedly, the Plaza group will be fielding four Plaza siblings in Agusan del Norte province alone, the bailiwick of the Amantes for years and headed by former executive secretary and Congressman Edelmiro Atega Amante.
Two of the Amante siblings are current officials -- incumbent Governor Earlpe John Amante who is provincial chair for Lakas-CMD-NUCD while another incumbent, Representative Maria Angelica Rossdel Amante, is the regional vice chair for Caraga Region for Lakas party.
Former Agusan del Sur governor Valentina G. Plaza in a press conference for the launching of her Agusan del Norte gubernatorial bid and movement for change said she is definitely running for governor.
While she is interested in being identified with the administration party, Valentina is hinting that she doesn't need a political party anyway.
She said she is running because of her intense desire to serve the people of Agusan del Norte and bring economic improvement to the province.
But allies of Plaza, like incumbent Carmen town Mayor Jovitte Calo who is running for Board Member and her husband, former Carmen mayor Ramon Calo, incumbent Cabadbaran Mayor Herman Libarnes wanted Plaza and their group to be identified with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Plaza's son, Agusan del Sur Governor Eddie Bong Plaza is currently the Provincial Chair for Lakas Party in Agusan de Sur while another son, opposition Representative Rodolfo Plaza is former regional campaign manager of Fernando Poe Jr. in the May 2004 presidential elections.
Commission on Elections Regional Officer Cirilo Nala said at present, no one had ever filed a Certificate of Candidacies for the local post in all of Caraga Regions' 71 towns in five provinces.
These cover the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and the newly created Dinagat Islands and three cities of Butuan, Surigao, and Bislig.
"Traditionally, local politicians file their Certificate of Candidacies in the last hour," Nala said.
