IT SEEMS that it would be an uneventful 2019 elections for the vice-gubernatorial race and majority of the board member positions in Pampanga as some candidates are virtually unopposed.
Leading the list of unopposed candidates is incumbent Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, who is the lone candidate for vice governor this time to her son Dennis “Delta” Pineda.
The board member aspirants in the first, second and third districts of the province are also running unopposed.
Based on the partial and unofficial list of candidates from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday, October 18, Pineda is running under her Kapanalig at Kambilan ning Memalen Pampanga (Kambilan).
First district candidates of the Kambilan are also running unopposed.
Incumbent board members Cherry Manalo and Benjamin Jocson are both seeking re-election. No one is challenging either of them.
Kambilan board member candidates in the second district, with three slots in the Pampanga Provincial Board, are also running unopposed.
Ex-officio Board Member Fritzie David-Dizon, re-electionist Board Member Anthony Joseph Torres and Governor Pineda’s daughter, incumbent Lubao Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab, are running for board members under Kambilan.
Also, veteran board members Anianas Canlas Jr., who is running under Liberal Party-Kambilan, and Kambilan’s Rosve Henson and Dinan Labung are running unopposed for third district board members.
Pampanga’s two fourth district board member seats will be a contest between incumbent board members Pol Balingit (Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan-Kambilan) and Nelson Calara (Kambilan) against Dennis Capulong and Edgar Puno, both running as independent bets.
Exciting poll battles
Political observers here are saying that while some key positions in the province are uncontested, there are exciting political battles to be expected in other parts of Pampanga.
Vice-Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda of the Nationalist People’s Coalition-Kambilan will be contesting the gubernatorial seat with Bacolor Mayor Jomar Hizon in the 2019 polls.
Two other contenders, Amado Santos and James Escoto, are also running for governor.
Pampanga’s first legislative district will be a fight between comebacking former representative Joseller Guiao (Kambilan) and incumbent First District Representative Carmelo “JonJon” Lazatin (Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan).
A female independent candidate, Bernadette David, is also running for the first district seat in the House of Representatives.
Newbie Dr. Jun Ponio will challenge former representative Mikey Arroyo for the second district legislative seat.
Third District Representative Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. will have his re-election bid challenged by two independent candidates, Cecilia Canlas and Carlos Alejandrino.
For the fourth legislative district, it will be a three-way contest between incumbent Fourth District Representative Juan Pablo “Rimpy” Bondoc (Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan-Kambilan), former Board Member Ricardo Yabut (independent), and one Regino Mallari (independent).