Monday, January 29, 2007 Mongaya: Political maneuvers By Anol Mongaya Panahom
THE perception that Jonkie Ouano is weak has probably pushed many to also run for mayor of Mandaue City—Ading Seno, Jonas Cortes and Magno Dionson. Seno and Cortes represent past political dynasties in Mandaue City, while Dionson is a perennial opposition bet.
Of the challengers, the group of Jonas is perceived to be the strongest. The number one councilor has teamed up with Glen Bercede, the number two councilor.
However, this alliance has one basic weakness. It was forged out of convenience for both Cortes and Bercede. Cortes knows his brother Baludong will run for vice mayor. To avoid conflict, he went out to seek the mayoral post.
Meanwhile, Bercede figured that he could only be a contender for vice mayor if he initially joins forces with Cortes despite the Baludong factor.
I think there will be pressure on Bercede to go back to the Ouano camp if Baludong pushes through with his plans. The Ouano clan is also wooing Bercede back. After all, while Jonas and Baludong are brothers, Glen is also an Ouano. Blood is thicker than water.
But is Jonkie really a weak candidate? Minus the propaganda, we have to consider that the formidable Ouano political machinery backs him. This election spells survival of the Ouanos as a political heavyweight in Mandaue City. I’m sure every Ouano from the old man Pedong will do their best to win.
Let’s see if Jonkie can rise to the challenge of uniting the clan. His biggest challenge as of now is his Tita Joy, who is being courted by Ouano detractors to run for mayor and spoil Jonkie’s chances.
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As of the moment, Atan Guardo is the lone opposition figure in Cebu City.
However, he is now heartened with talks of the 3G—his possible alliance with Dodong Gullas and Raymund Garcia. If the alliance pushes through, it will be a credible opposition to the administration of Mayor Tomas Osmeña.
However, despite the efforts of former mayor Alvin Garcia, the formation of an opposition alliance is a difficult thing to do with the deadline for the filing of candidacies fast approaching.
Though nothing is final until all have filed their certificate of candidacies, Tommy has begun lambasting the possible alliance. He has begun to criticize Rep. Eddie Gullas as a land-grabber and the Dodong candidacy as a ploy to make the South Reclamation Project a barangay of Talisay.
Tom’s advisers should caution him, however. His tirades might push the Gullases to allow Dodong to run. Or this could also be the mayor’s wish after all.
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If an anti-Tommy slate shapes up in Cebu City, this should also strengthen Guardo’s candidacy in the second district against the incumbent Rep. Tony Cuenco.
Still Cuenco appears to be unperturbed by all the political noise apparently confident that his political machinery will again weather the Guardo challenge.
My informant from his camp said their main consideration now is the so-called huge Guardo war chest. However, they figured that with the way Guardo is spending his resources—look at all the Arthro ads in television and radio—he will be scraping the bottom come crunch time.
(superbalita@sunstar.com.ph or anol.blogs.friendster.com/anols_blog)
