Monday, March 19, 2007 Mongaya: 2004 scenario in Cebu By Anol Mongaya Panahom
WITH Kampi and Lakas going at each other’s throats in Cebu Province and the opposition nowhere in sight, the administration has succeeded in setting up a revised version of the 2004 scenario.
As in 2004, Cebu is shaping up to be firmly in the administration camp. Coffee shop talks over the weekend focused on Lakas fielding a Martinez-Cesante ticket.
If this pushes through, where will the opposition get votes for their Senate slate? Maybe Lakas will carry former senator Sonny Osmeña in Cebu because they are local political allies. But will they also support the other Genuine Opposition (GO) candidates?
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Administration candidates are banking on the strength of their nationwide machinery. Team Unity’s Mike Defensor said the current lead of GO candidates in the Social Weather Station and Pulse Asia surveys will soon be erased once the campaigns for local positions begin.
So far, Loren Legarda, Ping Lacson, Chit Escudero, Manny Villar, Noynoy Aquino, and Alan Peter Cayetano are inside the Magic 12. Team Unity has only Ralph Recto, Joker Arroyo, Ed Angara, and Tito Sotto inside the top 12.
Moreover, independents Kiko Pangilinan and Gringo Honasan are holding on their own. Note that Honasan, who is in jail and relying on supportive groups to push his candidacy, is apparently riding on a generally anti-administration sentiment.
Escudero, Cayetano and Aquino in particular are well-known anti-Arroyo personalities though support from showbiz quarters might be also helping them. While Cayetano and Aquino have their showbiz relatives, Chiz has the support of Mother Lily of Regal Films.
Will Defensor and other Team Unity stalwarts like Chavit Singson and Butch Pichay make it to the Magic 12 once the administration machinery starts moving in full speed?
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However, I don’t think the Kampi-Lakas feud will make life for Team Unity candidates much easier. Each candidate must maintain a tightrope act to ensure support from each administration faction or they will end up in the junk list.
Members of Timpuyog Daguiti Ilocano Ti Cebu Foundation Inc., for example, told me over coffee that they would not mess up with the local fights in their efforts to support Chavit Singson.
Moreover, the local pro-GMA parties like BO-PK, Alayon, and One Cebu had already manifested their intention not to vote straight Team Unity. BO-PK for instance will carry Legarda and Kiko Pangilinan.
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The emergence of former governor and congressman Tingting de la Serna will carve a large gray area in the Mandaue and sixth district political terrain. I am sure Tingting will be able to get supporters from both the camps of Jonkie Ouano and Jonas Cortez.
Even without money in 1995 when he lost the governorship, Tingting managed to get a sizable chunk of the votes in the sixth district.
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Jonkie achieved a milestone of sorts when he was able to win the support of his aunt Joy Ouano, the ABC president in Mandaue City. This means he was able to forge family unity after his father Teddy and even grandfather Pedong failed. This means the formidable Ouano machinery is now whole and Jonkie has risen to become its leader.
(superbalita@sunstar.com.ph or anol.blogs.friendster.com/anols_blog)
