CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Reelectionist Third District Representative Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales, Jr. needs only one vote to win in this coming midterm elections and that single vote does not even have to come from him.
For the first time in his political career, Gonzales is running, though belatedly, unopposed. Gonzales’ lone opponent, a certain Cecilia Canlas of Sta. Ana town, officially withdrew from the province’s third district congressional race leaving him unopposed in the May polls.
Former rivals in the past electoral terms like former Representative Oscar Rodriguez and former City of San Fernando Councilor Jose “Pol” Quiwa could only eat their hearts out as one of the most coveted political seats in the province is just a single vote away.
While this kind political opportunity comes rarely, Gonzales is not letting his guard down, not just yet.
Over the weekend, Gonzales said it is still work as usual for him, adding that incumbent candidates, who are unopposed, should still strive to serve even while the campaign period is ongoing.
“It is easier said than done, but this has always been my mantra. With or without opposition we must not stop serving,” Gonzales said, adding that those who are unopposed this election have an even bigger responsibility to serve even more.
In a weekend sortie in Mexico town, Gonzales met with parents of scholars and elementary pupils and senior high school students of several schools. The reelectionist did not fail to remind them to go out and vote in the May 13 polls.
Gonzales is known for authoring two landmark legislations, namely Republic Act 9505, otherwise known as Dong’s Law, which provided for the continued and comprehensive rehabilitation of the town of Bacolor from the devastation it suffered as a result of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991. He also RA 9832 for the conversion of the Don Honorio Ventura School of Arts and Trade into the Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University which was later renamed to Don Honorio Ventura State University also through Gonzales’ legislative effort.
Many of his allies, too, in the Kapanalig at Kambilan ning Memalen Pampanga (Kambilan) are running unopposed. 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, reelectionist 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.