Given the party machinery of pa Ted and grandpa Pedong and the wealth the Ouanos reputedly piled up, Jonkie is still the force to reckon with in Mandaue City's mayoral race.
But steady battering hurts and it shows.
What surprises veteran watchers is the response. "This is mudslinging already," Jonkie said. Of course, it is. What did he expect, a cake-throwing binge at a tea party?
Petitions to disqualify Jonkie for allegedly being an American citizen and lacking legal residence aren't kid stuff. But the moves at Comelec aren't likely to take him out, though they show a Jonkie who wasn't being totally candid.
He allowed issues to blow up when he could've defused them much earlier by baring his citizenship secret on day one of his political career.
With too many foul-ups, machinery and money might not work. Voters may turn out to be more literate than some politicians give them credit for.
War over SRP
Joel Garganera, Tinago, Cebu City barangay captain, isn't running this election. He's waging a war on the South Road Properties (SRP), which he argues can't be legally marketed yet.
Joel has to face a court battle---and the off-court rage of Mayor Tomas Osmeña. I don't know which is worse but Rep. Eddie Gullas, who also took on the SRP, may have horror stories to tell.
Jonkie and Joel are in for tougher days ahead. Win or lose, they can't say the times aren't interesting.
