Thursday, May 17, 2007 Wenceslao: Winning and losing By Bong O. Wenceslao Candid Thoughts
ARE the Martinezes going the way of the Abineses?
Possible, considering that former Provincial Board member Benhur Salimbangon is putting up a good fight against Bogo Mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III in the congressional war in the fourth district. A Salimbangon win will break the hold of the Martinezes on that district.
For sometime, the clan has wallowed in the belief of invincibility. Before this year’s campaign period started, an ally boasted about the big number of votes delivered by the fourth district for President Arroyo. He overlooked the signs: incumbent mayors in Daanbantayan, Bantayan and Madridejos shifting allegiance. Plus rising tides of defiance.
A Tining defeat will effectively limit the influence of the Martinezes to Bogo, and even their hold there is weakening. If this happens, it will be one of the bigger twists in this year’s elections, the other being another losing run for the Senate of former senator John “Sonny” Osmeña. Are we seeing the end of the political career of John O?
This as the Garcias is strengthening their hold on the province. Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who is up against Antonio Yapha, is leading in the initial count, so too her father Pablo, who is winning against congressional bets in the second district. Pablo John is waging a decent run for Congress in the third district against PB member Estrella Yapha.
Pablo and Pablo John snagging the congressional posts in the second and third districts would give the Garcias the bailiwick needed for a stronger hold on Capitol. A Gwen win, meanwhile, would mean the Garcias have successfully staved off the challenge posed by the Osmeña triumvirate: Lito, Sonny and Cebu City Mayor Tomas.
In Mandaue, a win by Jonas Cortes against Jonkie Ouano would cut the around two decades of control by the Ouanos on that city. It will also mark the return of the Corteses on top of Mandaue politics after the death of their patriarch, former mayor Demetrio. The issues against Jonkie’s father, Mayor Thadeo, have finally taken their toll.
But the celebrated battle for the congressional seat in Cebu City’s south district may end up being a dud. It looks like Rep. Antonio Cuenco has successfully staved off the determined challenge of businessman Jonathan Guardo. If Guardo loses, lawyer Aristotle Batuhan, who lost to Cuenco twice, will own the right to say: I told you so.
