Scrolling down: by net worth, Pesquera in 2017 had P4.9 million against Abellanosa's P39.18 million; how much of each is disposable for the election campaign is something else; Bebot may carry a heavier baggage than Joy during the campaign: his questionable contract with Cebu City may still dog him on the election trail; and Pesquera says she is "better qualified" to be a legislator than Abellanosa.
BUT first, about presidential spokesman Harry Roque telling ex-senator, ex-DILG chief and 2016 ex-candidate for president Mar Roxas to "shut up" after he proposed measures to help solve the rice crisis.
Apparently, Roque and company don't need help; they got it, Mar. As to Roxas, he needs the public to remember him. He might run for senator in 2019. So he has to talk, after having been silent for so long.
'With or without funds'
Cebu City Councilor Joy Pesquera was rumored to have been rebuffed by former mayor Mike Rama when she disclosed a serious plan to run for congresswoman in the city's south district. "What? Does she have money?" was said to have been Mike's squelcher. She denied that although it was not known if Mike made a similar denial.
Earlier, former congressman Tony Cuenco said he'd run for councilor instead, saying he cannot match incumbent Representative Bebot Abellanosa's "millions."
Well, it seems Abellanosa's wealth doesn't faze Joy who said Wednesday (September 19) that "with or without funds," she's running. She said she is the choice of her party, which must include Mike. Since last year, Joy said, they've been talking about choices and just recently they picked her. She wouldn't tell the other contenders who were passed over, backed out or never planned to run.
How rich is Bebot?
Abellanosa's statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN), as of December 2017, showed a P39.8 million net worth. But the net worth is not all cash and not everything is ever spent for a campaign. But then the SALN too doesn't include all the money the public official has. Usually a big part of his assets is not disclosed. And it doesn't include what contributors put into the campaign chest.
Yet Bebot has bigger capacity to spend than Joy who reported only P4.9 million net worth in the same year that he did.
Virgin vs pro
It would be a pro, with Bebot seeking his third term in Congress, against a virgin, with Joy taking her first crack at the House seat.
Both are veterans in vote-getting, Joy having also made at least four runs in the councilors' race. While she was used to competing for one of eight seats, with numerous aspirants from each party, this time it would be one-on-one: only two contenders over one position. And Bebot has the edge concerning the terrain, given the different demands of a councilor's campaign and a congressman's sorties.
Abellanosa's baggage
The incumbent may have a heavier baggage, considering that he was already ordered dismissed by the ombudsman over that P51.065-million conflict-of-interest case when his school contracted with the city over scholarships. While the Court of Appeals reversed the ruling, the public might see that his subsequent election merely condoned or forgave the offense.
Joy told Jason Monteclar on dyCM radio she is a public accountant and a lawyer, which must make her, she said, more qualified than Bebot in lawmaking.
Ultimately though, personal qualifications may pale against the skill in snagging the votes.
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It's just 'Barug'
And finally, the opposition party in Cebu City will no longer be called "United Barug Team Rama" or even "Barug Team Rama." It will be just "Barug." The "Team Rama" portion of the name is deleted.
Councilor Joy Pesquera said Comelec still has to approve the name; hearings are being scheduled. But apparently they've started using "Barug" already.
So it will be Barug-PDP Laban if the alliance will push through or continue up to the election season, from the post-COC-filing period to May 2019.
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Tell us about it.
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