Friday, January 05, 2007 Wenceslao: Initial salvo By Bong O. Wenceslao Candid Thoughts
JONATHAN Guardo and Pablo John Garcia are both young, and that should explain the seeming eagerness to start the political skirmish. Besides, they are in the turfs of veteran trapos (traditional politicians) in Reps. Antonio Cuenco (Cebu City-South) and Antonio Yapha (3d District, Cebu Province). That means extra effort is needed to win.
Of the two, Guardo looks more like Don Quixote and is acting like one. But the formation of a political group is a good start, although he should have done that---I mean build a network---two or three years ago. Cuenco’s machinery is formidable. Note that it withstood the best offensives of lawyer Aristotle Batuhan in the past two elections.
But Guardo can still make a good run for Congress if his political group links up with those of the bigwigs of the political opposition in the city. In the south district, he and Batuhan should unite, or Cuenco will be laughing to victory. Add there the forces of former city mayor Alvin Garcia. Their network plus Guardo’s money: it might work.
I think Yapha is up for a major fight in the third district. Pablo John planted the seeds of his candidacy as early as when Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia took over the Provincial Capitol in 2004. It will just be a matter of initially reaping what he sowed once the campaign period starts. Also, the younger Garcia can use the 2004 network of his sister.
Yapha’s decision to run for mayor of Pinamungajan may pose some problems to Pablo John’s candidate in that town, Glen Baricuatro. But the move could weaken the candidacy of Yapha’s wife Estrella, who will run against Pablo John. Her husband will find it difficult to help in the district-wide campaign because of Baricuatro’s challenge.
REUNION. I have fond memories of my days at the City Central School, thus I was happy to meet the other night some of former classmates after, what, three decades? Those who were there were Fe Marie Maningo-Perez, Wilfreda Lepiten-Misterio, Emerson Donaldo, Leonilo Llenes, Maria Steffens (Brenda Tamarra), Lilibeth Verano-Branzuela, Eva Potot-Cabrera, Shirley Montebon-Concepcion, Edwin Colipapa, Anthony Borinaga, Antonieta Casepong-Plarisan, Erlinda Paican-Ponla and Lilu Itaas-Aliño.
Batch ’72 has decided to set up an e-group and started the preparations for a reunion, hopefully in December this year. To the other batch mates, please keep in touch. Visit groups.yahoo.com/group/batch72citycentral.
