Thursday, March 08, 2007 Wenceslao: Waiting game By Bong O. Wenceslao Candid Thoughts
I would say the most exciting phase of the elections for local posts is now.
Because of the continued maneuvering by wannabes, we observers couldn’t be so sure what kind of scenario will prevail until the last day of the filing of the certificates of candidacy on March 29. Just consider the situation in some towns, cities and districts.
In Cebu City, only the candidacy of Jonathan Guardo against Rep. Antonio Cuenco in the south district is a given. Alvin Garcia may not challenge Mayor Tomas Osmeña, so the search for a mayoral bet against the incumbent continues. Rep. Raul del Mar is safe so far. The excitement is in how the opposition will straight-en up its act.
In Cebu province, the political opposition is still into the floating of names of possible opponents of Gov. Gwen Garcia. Will it be one of the Martinezes? Former governor Lito Osmeña? Another tricky point there is the choice of the ruling coalition’s official candidate for governor, what with the maneuvering by both Kampi and Lakas.
Mandaue and Talisay cities are among the early birds, with those tangling against Mayor Thadeo Ouano’s son Jonkie and Mayor Soc Fernandez already identified. One thing hanging is whether Jonkie’s aunt Joy will make good her threat to run against her nephew. This does not mean, though, that there will no longer be surprises there.
Will former vice governor John-john Osmeña run against Rep. Eduardo Gullas in the first district of the province? He still has to show his face there, but who knows? In the second district, the positioning has clearly affected Board Member Cary Kintanar’s bid for Congress. He has lost his clout with Kampi when the Garcias joined the party.
The lines in the third and fourth districts for the congressional posts are already well delineated: Pablo John Garcia against Board Member Estrella Yapha and Bogo Mayor Celestino Martinez III against former Board member Benhur Salimbangon. In the fifth district? Former mayor Gilbert Wagas said there are surprises there for the Duranos.
In the sixth district, the Ouanos joining Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz in Kampi has strengthened the latter’s reelection bid. In this sense, the interesting part of the campaign there is finding out whom businessman Norberto Quisumbing waill bankroll. Where will Board Member Luigi Quisumbing go? Will he run for reelection or challenge Nerissa?
In sum, the situation in Cebu is still largely, abangan ang susunod na kabanata.
TEXTREAX. Water seeks its own level. This is true in science and in politics. Thanks for pointing out the difference between Atan Guardo and Totol Batuhan.--Cristian Malaki
