MEET the opposing teams in Mabalacat City: Team MCG or Mayor Crisostomo C. Garbo is led by incumbent Mayor Cris Garbo and backstopped by City Vice Mayor candidate Atty. Geld Aquino.
Its slate includes: Jun Castro, Ralph Lauren “Basti” David, Rannie de Leon, Nino “RS” delos Reyes, Carl Dizon, Win-win Garbo, Totong Mendiola, Liza Pineda, Rey Pineda and Cocoy Tiglao.
At the opposing end, CM or Caluguran Mabalacat, is shepherded by incumbent City Vice Mayor Christian C. Halili and seconded by former mayor Boking Morales, who is running this time as city vice-mayor.
The CM's slate is composed of: Jerry Basilio, Dan Bayani, Noel Castro, Froy Galang, Timmy Llanos Dee, Jerry Magsino, Dwight Morales, Carlo Nino Rivera, Eddie Sotto, Bok Tiglao and Jeng Yumul.
The Team MCG relies on the crowd-gathering strength of Mayor Cris while Team CM depends on name recall as most of its candidates are reelectionists and are therefore already known to Mabalacat voters like: Jerry Basilio, Dan Bayani, Dwight Morales, Carlo Nino Rivera, Eddie Sotto, Bok Tiglao and Jeng Yumul.
Team MCG has reelectionist Win-win Garbo and comebacking Liza Pineda.
Former barangay chairmen Jerry Magsino, Rannie de Leon and Elmer "Totong" Mendiola have their loyal followers while Nino delos Reyes can count on the popularity and charm of his father Ricardo delos Reyes. I heard that per survey, Nino will end up in the top three positions in the Councilor race.
Three aspirants for Councilor seemingly are without solid political parties to support them: Edgar Halili, former chairman of Barangay Sta. Ines, Manny Dingal, former chairman of Barangay San Francisco and Jessie Duran, former chairman of Barangay Camachiles.
It will be an uphill climb for these aspirants, but who knows? They might spring a big surprise yet!
***
Anything can happen between now and May 13. Several factors should be considered in winnability: name recall, effective house-to-house sorties, sufficiency of campaign funds especially on the homestretch and endorsements from influential persons, groups or religious sects.
The traditional endorsement or pasiya from a very powerful religious bloc is no assurance to winnability, but it is still a plus factor to those who get it. Abangan.